Excel - Intermediate Learning

MICROSOFT EXCEL
VISUAL BASIC FOR APPLICATIONS

INTERMEDIATE
Excel Level 6: VBA Intermediate) Contents
IMPORTANT NOTE
Unless otherwise stated, screenshots in this lesson were taken using Excel 2007 running
on Window XP Professional. There may be, therefore, minor differences in the
appearance and layout of dialog boxes and screens if you are using other Excel versions,
or if you are running on Windows 2000 or Windows Vista.
Concepts, discussions, procedures and functionality, however, remain unchanged.

Contents
IMPORTANT NOTE .............................................................................................................................................. 2
CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................................................. 3
REVIEW EXERCISE ................................................................................................................................................... 5
Automating a Worksheet Using VBA Basics......................................................................................................... 5
LESSON 1 - EXPLORING THE RANGE OBJECT............................................................................................... 6
REFERRING TO A RANGE ......................................................................................................................................... 7
COLLECTIONS ........................................................................................................................................................10
THE CURRENTREGION PROPERTY .........................................................................................................................12
THE OFFSET & RESIZE PROPERTIES ........................................................................................................................14
EXERCISE ...............................................................................................................................................................18
Working with the Range Object ..........................................................................................................................18
LESSON 2 - VARIABLES, CONSTANTS AND ARRAYS ...............................................................................19
DECLARING VARIABLES.........................................................................................................................................20
SCOPE AND VISIBILITY ...........................................................................................................................................21
CONSTANTS...........................................................................................................................................................22
ARRAYS .................................................................................................................................................................24
DECLARING AN ARRAY ..........................................................................................................................................24
ARRAY TYPES .........................................................................................................................................................26
ASSIGNING VALUES TO AN ARRAY .........................................................................................................................31
FILLING ARRAYS USING LOOPS .............................................................................................................................33
DYNAMIC ARRAYS .................................................................................................................................................35
THE ARRAY FUNCTION .........................................................................................................................................38
EXERCISE ...............................................................................................................................................................41
Variables and Arrays .........................................................................................................................................41
LESSON 3 - USER DEFINED FUNCTIONS .......................................................................................................43
USING EXCEL WORKSHEET FUNCTIONS IN VBA ...................................................................................................44
VBA FUNCTIONS ...................................................................................................................................................46
USER-DEFINED FUNCTIONS ...................................................................................................................................49
GETTING HELP WITH USER DEFINED FUNCTIONS ..................................................................................................52
DECLARING VARIABLES IN USER DEFINED FUNCTIONS .........................................................................................54
USING RANGES IN USER DEFINED FUNCTIONS ......................................................................................................55
EXERCISES .............................................................................................................................................................57
User Defined Functions .....................................................................................................................................57
LESSON 4 - ADD-IN APPLICATIONS ...............................................................................................................59
DEFINING AN ADD-IN ...........................................................................................................................................60
CREATING AN ADD-IN FOR USER DEFINED FUNCTIONS ........................................................................................61
INSTALLING AN ADD-IN ........................................................................................................................................63
EDITING AN ADD-IN .............................................................................................................................................64
REMOVING AN ADD-IN .........................................................................................................................................65
EXERCISE ...............................................................................................................................................................67
Working with an Add-In .....................................................................................................................................67
LESSON 5 TESTING AND DEBUGGING CODE ..........................................................................................68
TYPES OF ERROR AND DEBUGGING ........................................................................................................................69
STEPPING THROUGH A PROCEDURE ......................................................................................................................70
DISPLAYING VARIABLE VALUES ............................................................................................................................73
BREAK MODE ........................................................................................................................................................76
EXERCISE ...............................................................................................................................................................81
Testing and Debugging Code .............................................................................................................................81
LESSON 6 ERROR HANDLING & TRAPPING .............................................................................................82

ERROR HANDLING USING IF .................................................................................................................................83
ERROR TRAPPING ..................................................................................................................................................85
TRAPPING ERRORS WITH ERR NUMBERS ................................................................................................................90
EXERCISE ...............................................................................................................................................................95
Dealing with Potential Errors in Procedures ......................................................................................................95
LESSON 7 - BUILT-IN DIALOG BOXES AND CUSTOM USERFORMS ......................................................97
EXCEL DIALOG BOXES ...........................................................................................................................................98
USER-DEFINED FORMS ..........................................................................................................................................99
INSERTING A USERFORM INTO A WORKBOOK ........................................................................................................99
ADDING CONTROLS TO A FORM ............................................................................................................................99
FORM CONTROLS DESIGN TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES ........................................................................................... 102
CONTROL PROPERTIES ......................................................................................................................................... 104
PROGRAMMING A USERFORM ............................................................................................................................. 106
FORM EVENTS ..................................................................................................................................................... 111
DISPLAYING A USERFORM ................................................................................................................................... 113
EXERCISE ............................................................................................................................................................. 114
Creating a UserForm....................................................................................................................................... 114
APPENDIX I CREATING AN ADD-IN FOR SUB PROCEDURES ............................................................ 117
APPENDIX II LIST OF TRAPPABLE ERRORS AND THEIR CODES....................................................... 119
APPENDIX III DEBUG.ASSERT..................................................................................................................... 123
APPENDIX IV ADDING INTERACTIVITY TO A MESSAGE BOX.......................................................... 125
APPENDIX V SOLUTIONS TO EXERCISES ................................................................................................ 130
INDEX ................................................................................................................................................................... 137

Excel Level 6: VBA Intermediate) Review Exercise
REVIEW EXERCISE
AUTOMATING A WORKSHEET USING VBA BASICS
1. Open the file, Daily Profit and Loss.
2. Launch the VBA Editor and open the module sheet in the Daily Profit and Loss project
containing the CreateTable procedure.
3. Add code to the module that:
a. adds formulas in cells B4 and C4

b. formats cells B1 to C2 with a bold font
c. formats cells A2 to A4 with an italic font
d. formats cells A4 to C4 with a grey fill (Tip: ColorIndex = 15)
4. Create a button on Sheet1 of the workbook and assign the CreateTable macro to it.
5. Use this button to run the macro and check that it runs correctly. It should result in
the following.
6. Correct any errors.

7. Enter the following data into the newly created table.
USA Europe
Sales 35,000 42,000
Costs 25,000 25,000
8. In the same module sheet there is already a procedure named TestProfit that tests
cell B4 and makes the font bold if its value is 15000 or over, and formats it red if
below 15000.
Edit the procedure with a loop so that after it tests cell B4, it also tests cell C4.
9. Assign a keystroke of your choice to this macro and run it to check that it works
correctly. The font in cell B4 should be made red and the font in cell C4 bold.
10. Put right any errors and then save and close the file.
LESSON 1 - EXPLORING THE RANGE OBJECT
In this lesson, you will learn how to:
Refer to ranges
Use collections
Manipulate ranges with the Offset and Resize functions

Excel Level 6: VBA Intermediate) Variables, Constants and Arrays
REFERRING TO A RANGE
Discussion
Procedures will almost certainly need to work with ranges; these ranges will usually
differ in size and position in a workbook and hence, there needs to be flexible ways of
identifying and selecting them.
The Range Property

As a result, there are many ways of referring to a range. The first and most commonly
seen after recording a macro is using the Range property:-
Range(reference)
eg. Range(A1)
Range(B2 : D10)
An alternative way of selecting a range of cells that can provide more flexibility, is to
separate the first cell from the last one with a comma, eg.
Range("A1", "A10")
...refers to the range A1 : A10 and gives the same result

as using Range(A1:A10).
Several (non contiguous) ranges can be referred to by typing them into the Range
argument with commas separating them and quote marks () at the beginning and
end, eg.
Range("A1:A10, C1:C10, E1:E10")
... refers to three ranges.

Another way of using referring to a range is from a currently selected cell to another
fixed point in a worksheet, eg.
Range(ActiveCell, ActiveCell.Offset(10, 0))

This provides rather more flexibility because it will always refer to the range from the
active cell to the cell 10 rows below it. So, for example, if the active cell is B4, the
range B4 : B14 will be selected.
All the above methods refer to and identify a range object that can then have an
appropriate method or property applied to it, eg.
Range("A1", "A10").Interior.ColorIndex = 15
(add a light grey fill colour to the range A1 : A10)
The Cells Property

The most significant difference between using the Cells property to the Range
property, is that the Cells property identifies cells numerically (using what is called
an Index) AND it can only identify single cells, not ranges.
For example, you cannot use Cells(A1) to refer to cell A1 as this would return an
error.
A run-time error message
Cells(A1:A10) would return the same error.

The correct way of using the Cells property is to use an Index number in the brackets.
For example, cell A1 can be referred to in two ways:
Cells(1) or Cells(1, 1)
Cells(1) identifies it as cell number 1 of the worksheet, ie. A1. The Index counts along
the row before returning to the beginning of the next row and resuming from where
it left off. B1, therefore, would be Cells(2), C1 would be Cells(3)... etc.
In Excel 2000 03, the last cell in row 1 (IV1) would be referred to with an index of
256 - Cells(256). A2 would then have the index 257 - Cells(257).
In Excel 2007, however, there are 16,384 columns (unless you are running it in
compatibility mode). The last cell in row 1 (XFD1), therefore, would be Cells(16384)
and A2 would be Cells(16385).
It makes things easier, therefore, the use the cells property with TWO index numbers,
the first being the row number and the second the column number. For example, A2
can be referred to as:
Cells(1, 1) - the cell that is in row 1 and column 1 of the worksheet (A1).
Cells(2, 1) - the cell that is in row 2 and column 1 of the worksheet (A2)
Cells can also be used on its own as a collection (see page 10). It would then refer to
ALL the cells on a worksheet or a selection, eg.
ActiveSheet.Cells.Clear or just Cells.Clear
...removes formatting and contents from every cell on the

current (active) sheet
Sheets(Sheet2).Cells.Font.Name = Calibri
... formats all cells on Sheet2 to the Calibri font.
numCels = Selection.Cells.Count
... returns to the variable numCels the number of cells in the

selected area
The Cells property is generally more powerful and flexible than the Range property,
although Range is still best used when referring to specific (absolute) cells or ranges.
The Cells property and the Range property can be used together as follows:
Range(Cells(1, 1),Cells(3, 3))
This refers to the range A1 : C3, Cells(1, 1) being A1 and Cells(3, 3) being C3.
Procedures
1. Launch or switch to the VB Editor.
2. Identify in the Project Explorer pane, the workbook
(VBA project) that you want to add code to.
3. Open the module sheet containing the code or, insert a

new module.
4. Position the cursor in the procedure where you want to
write the code.
5. Type the object that you want to refer to.
6. Type a full stop.
7. Type the method or property that you want to apply to
the object.
8. Press Enter.
COLLECTIONS
Discussion
It was explained in the previous topic that Cells may be used on its own to represent
a collection. Relevant methods and properties can then be applied to a whole
collection (or type) of object. For example:
Cells.Select
...select ALL the cells on the active worksheet
Other collections include:

Object Refers to Example
WorkBooks All open Excel files WorkBooks.Close
(closes all open Excel files)
WorkBooks.Save
(saves all open Excel files)
WorkBooks.Add
(creates a new, blank Excel file)
Sheets All the sheets of an Sheets.PrintOut
or WorkSheets active workbook (prints all the sheets in the current
workbook)
Sheets.Select
(groups all the sheets in the current
workbook)
Sheets.Count
(returns the number of sheets in the
active workbook)
Columns All the columns of the Columns.Count

current worksheet Columns.ColumnWidth = 20
Rows All the rows of the Rows.Count
current worksheet Rows.ColumnWidth = 20
ChartObjects All the charts on the ChartObjects.Count
current sheet ChartObjects.Delete
ChartObjects.Copy
To identify and refer to a single item in a collection, you normally have to refer to it
by its index number, or by its name (as a string). For example:
WorkBooks(1) is the first workbook opened (assuming that several are open).
WorkBooks(Sales Data.xls) is specifically the open file named Sales Data.
Sheets(1) is the first sheet from the left of the workbook.
Sheets(January) is specifically the sheet named January.
Rows(1) refers to row 1 of the active worksheet.
Columns(1) is the same as Columns(A) and refers to column A of the active
worksheet.
To select a range of columns, for example from B through G, would require the code
Columns(B : G).Select. This is the only way to specify a range of columns within a
collection, numbers (eg. Columns(2 : 7) are not allowed.
Procedures
new module.
write the code.
the object.
8. Press Enter.
THE CURRENTREGION PROPERTY

Discussion
Referring to a range using CurrentRegion can be very useful when you do not know
what the range references are going to be, or how many rows and/or columns it will
have.
The CurrentRegion property identifies a contiguous range on a worksheet (a range
that is bounded by a combination of a blank column and a blank row).
A contiguous range (A3 : B22)
To achieve this, CurrentRegion needs a starting point (an expression that returns a
range object). The starting point can be any cell on the range. The syntax is:
<expression>.CurrentRegion.<method or property>
In the picture above, the code for selecting the contiguous range A3 to B22 might be:
Range(A3).CurrentRegion.Select
If a cell is already active on the range, the code could be written as follows:
ActiveCell.CurrentRegion.Select
For example:
Range(A1 : G200).Select
Selection.Copy Destination:= Sheets(1).Range(A2)
... will always select the cells from A1 to G200, copy
them and paste them into cell A2 on the second sheet of
the workbook.
Nevertheless, if you want to run the same procedure on a different table that does not
span from cells A1 to G200, then the procedure will not work correctly. Using the
CurrentRegion property, however, it would be successful, eg.
Selection.Copy Destination:= Sheets(1).Range(A2)
The example above would require a cell to be selected on the table first, but would
succeed a table containing any number of rows and columns anywhere on the
worksheet.
Another useful way of selecting cells CurrentRegion would be to use arguments for
it. The following example would select the cell 2 Rows down and 2 Columns to the
right, from the first cell in the current region.
ActiveCell.CurrentRegion(2, 2).Select
An alternative method would be to use the activate method. This would be useful if
the current region was selected first and needed to be kept selected. Using activate
will make a cell active without removing any cell selection.
ActiveCell.CurrentRegion(3, 6).Activate
CurrentRegion(2, 2).Activate
Procedures
new module.
write the code.
the object.
8. Press Enter.
THE OFFSET & RESIZE PROPERTIES

Discussion
Offset
The Offset property is discussed in the Excel VBA Introduction booklet with respect
to it identifying a single cell that is away from another one (see Excel VBA
Introduction (Student Edition), page 63) . For example:
ActiveCell.Offset(1,0).Select
... would select the cell that is 1 row and 0 columns away
from the active cell. If the active cell was B10, therefore,
Offset(1,0) would refer to B11 (one row down, same
column).
The Offset property can also be used to offset an entire range of cells.
The following example moves a selected range 1 cell down and 1 column to the right:
Selection.Offset(1,1).Select
Range(A1).CurrentRegion.Select Selection.Offset(1,1).Select
This proves useful where a table has to be selected excluding the top row and left
column.
Resize
Using the Resize function enables a selected range of cells to be made bigger or
smaller by increasing or decreasing the number of rows and columns that it contains.
The new size of the range is measured from its top left corner. In the example
below, a current region is selected and then resized to 15 rows and 4 columns.
Selection.Resize(15, 4).Select
ActiveCell.CurrentRegion.Select Selection.Resize(15, 4).Select
The Resize property proves useful where a table has to be selected excluding the
bottom row and right column. To achieve this, VBA has to do a bit of work for you! It
has to count the number of rows and columns in the table so that a calculation can be
performed to determine how many rows and columns to resize the table to.
The example below uses variables to count the number of rows and columns in a
table (the selection), and then adds 1 to determine the resize parameters:
numRows = Selection.Rows.Count + 1
numCols = Selection.Columns.Count + 1
Selection.Resize(numRows, numCols).Select
numRows = Selection.Rows.Count + 1
= 20 + 1 = 21
numCols = Selection.Columns.Count + 1
=5+1=6
Selection.Resize(numRows,numCols).Select
The example above could also be written without the use of variables, although this
may make the code more complicated to write and understand:
Selection.Resize(Selection.Rows.Count + 1, Selection.Columns.Count + 1).Select
The Offset and Resize properties work well together as in the following example. A
range is offset by 1 row and 1 column and then resized to 1 row and 1 column less, so
that it excludes the blank row and blank column at the bottom and right.
numRows = Selection.Rows.Count -1
numCols = Selection.Columns.Count -1
Selection.Offset(1, 1).Resize(numRows, numCols).Select
Procedures
new module.
write the code.
the object.
8. Press Enter.
EXERCISE
WORKING WITH THE RANGE OBJECT
Task - To practice range object methods and functions.
1. Insert a new module in your Personal Macro Workbook and write a sub procedure
named, LayoutTable that:
a. selects a whole table of data;
b. adjusts the width of all the columns to 12pts;
c. formats the font colour of the first column to blue;
d. aligns the text centrally in the first row.
2. Assign this macro to a custom button on your My Macros toolbar.
3. Open the file, Ranges.
4. Run and test LayoutTable on the table in Sheet1 of this workbook.
5. Write another sub procedure in your Personal Macro Workbook named,
FormatNumbers that selects a whole table excluding the top row and the left-
most column and formats it to a currency style.
7. Run and test FormatNumbers on the table in Sheet 1 of this workbook.
8. Create a final sub procedure in your Personal Macro Workbook named, LastCell
that selects the last cell of a table (the one in the bottom right-hand corner) and:
a. makes the font size 14pts;
b. adds a yellow fill colour; and
c. autofit the column.
10. Run and test LastCell on the table in Sheet 1 of this workbook.
11. Create a new sub procedure in your Personal Macro Workbook named,
RunAllMacros.
12. Call into this sub procedure the three macros created above.
14. Run and test RunAllMacros on the table in Sheet2 of this workbook.
15. Save and close the file.
16. Exit Excel to ensure that the Personal Macro Workbook is saved.
17. Re-launch Excel.
LESSON 2 -
VARIABLES, CONSTANTS AND ARRAYS
Declare Variables
Understand Scope and Visibility
Define Constants
Declare Arrays
DECLARING VARIABLES
Discussion
Variables that are to be used in a procedure are usually declared at the start of that
procedure in order to identify them and the type of data that they will hold.
In VBA, it is not necessary to declare variables, but by doing so, it is possible to speed
up the procedure, conserve memory and prevent errors from occurring.
Because variables do not have to be declared Visual Basic assumes any variable that
has not yet been used to be a new variable. This means a variable spelled incorrectly
during code writing would not be recognised by Visual Basic.
This problem can be avoided by choosing to declare explicitly every variable. This
tells Visual Basic that every variable will be declared in advance and any others used,
misspelt or not, will be incorrect. When Visual Basic encounters an undeclared
variable, the following message is displayed:
Error Message Variable not defined
To explicitly declare variables, the following statement is required at the top of the
Visual Basic module:
Option Explicit
Variables are then declared by using the Dim Statement.
Dim variable name
The variable exists until the end of the procedure is met.
The Option Explicit Statement can be set automatically to appear in all modules.
Procedures
1. In the Visual Basic Editor, Select Tools... Options.
2. Select the Editor Tab.
3. Select Require Variable Declaration.
4. Click on the OK button.
The Option Explicit Statement is added to new

modules NOT existing modules.
SCOPE AND VISIBILITY

Discussion
It is sometimes a necessity to scope a variable correctly, when calling procedures
from within a module or indeed across several modules. The result of scoping these
variables correctly would signify whether or not the variable has maintained its data.
If the data has been lost then, this is known as lost visibility.
A Local variable is declared within a procedure and is only available within that
procedure.
A Module-Level variable is available to all procedures in the module in which it is
declared, but not to any other modules. Module-level variables are created by placing
their Dim statements at the top of the module before the first procedure.
A Public variable is available to every module in the workbook. Public variables
are created by using the Public statement instead of the Dim statement, and placing
the declarations at the top of a module before the first procedure.
To conserve memory, declare variables at the lowest level possible, e.g. do not
declare a variable as public or at module-level if local is sufficient.
Procedures
2. Identify the workbook (VBA project) to which you want
to add code in the Project Explorer pane.
new module.
4. To declare a variable at module level, position the
cursor at the very top of the module sheet and type Dim.
To declare a public, variable, position the cursor at the
very top of the module sheet and type Public.
5. Type a space.
6. Type the name for the variable.
7. Type a space.
8. Type As.
9. Type a space.
10. Type or select from the list and appropriate data type for
the variable.
11. Press Enter.
CONSTANTS
Discussion
A constant is a named item that retains a constant value throughout the execution of
a program, as opposed to a variable, whose value may change during execution.
By storing a value as a constant, it indicates to anyone reading or having to edit the
procedure, that wherever you see the constant being used, its value will always be as
assigned in the Const statement. Like many things in programming, it is an example
of good practice and intended to keep the code neat, concise and easily understood.
It is usual to type your constants all UPPER CASE

to distinguish them from VBA words (mixture of
upper and lowercase) and variables (all lower case).
Constants are defined using the Const statement. Constants can be used anywhere in
a procedures in place of actual values. A constant may be a string or numeric literal,
another constant, or any combination that includes arithmetic or logical operators
except Is. For example:
Sub Font_Colour()
Const RED = 3
Const BLUE = 5
Const YELLOW = 6
Can then be used thus......
Selection.Font.ColorIndex = RED
Selection.Interior.ColorIndex = YELLOW
Selection.BorderAround ColorIndex:= BLUE
End Sub
Like variables, constants should be declared in order to inform, prevent errors and
manage computer memory. Constants are not, however, "dimmed" in the same way
as variables. They are declared as type immediately after the name of the constant. In
the example below, a constant has been created to store the value of pi ().
Const PI as Single = 3.142

In the example further up the page, the constants would be declared as follows:
Const RED as Byte = 3

Const BLUE as Byte = 5
Const YELLOW as Byte = 6
Or, in the single line form:
Const RED As Byte = 3, YELLOW As Byte = 6, BLUE As Byte = 5
Procedures
new module.
4. Identify the procedure that you wish to declare the
constant in or, start typing a new procedure.
5. Position the cursor immediately below the Sub statement
at the top of the procedure.
6. Type Const.
7. Type a space.
8. Type a name for the constant. Tip: constant names are
normally written all UPPER CASE.
9. Type a space.
10. Type As.
11. Type or select from the list a data type for the variable.
12. Type a space.
13. Type =.
14. Type a value for the constant.
15. Press Enter.
ARRAYS
Discussion
An array is a special type of variable that can contain many
"elements" of information simultaneously - in essence a large
variable. Think of it as a box containing many separate sections,
rather like pigeon holes in a post room.
An array stores large numbers of values more efficiently that using an equivalent
numbers of individual variables. Not only does an array make better use of computer
memory, but it can be "filled" extremely quickly and flexibly with a minimum
amount of code. Storing a column of 100 numbers in individual variables would take
100 lines of code. With an array, it can be done with just three!
DECLARING AN ARRAY
Discussion
An array must be declared before it can be used. Like a variable, it is declared with a
Dim statement, followed by the name of the array. What makes an array different is
that after the name, there are brackets containing a number (or numbers). This
number (or numbers) denote how many elements the array contains. This is referred
to as the dimension of the array. For example, the following example declares an array
containing 5 elements:
Dim arrData (4)
You may now be asking the question: "Why 4 when the array must contain 5
elements?"
The number 4 is used because it is the upper bound of the array that is used in the
brackets, NOT the number of elements required. Because the lower bound is 0, an
upper bound of 4 does, therefore, indicate that the array contains 5 elements.
arrData(0) arrData(1) arrData(2) arrData(3) arrData(4)
Also like variables, it is good practice to declare an array as type. If an array is

declared with a specific data type (As Single, for example), then every element in the
array must be of that type. It is possible, however, to declare an array as a variant, in
which case the elements could contain different data types.
Dim variable (dimensions) as Type

Assuming the above array (arrData) will be storing large numbers involving
decimals, the array would be declared as follows:
Dim arrData(4) As Single
Earlier, it was explained that all elements in an

array must be of the same data type. You can get
around this restriction by declaring your array as a
variant. A variant array, however, will consume
more memory than other types.
The same data types as for variables can be used. These are given in the table below:
Data type Memory size Storage capability
Byte 1 byte 0 to 255
Boolean 2 bytes True or False
Integer 2 bytes -32,768 to 32,767
Long 4 bytes -2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647
Single 4 bytes -3.402823E38 to -1.401298E-45 for negative values;
1.401298E-45 to 3.402823E38 for positive values
Double 8 bytes -1.79769313486231E308 to
-4.94065645841247E-324 for negative values;
4.94065645841247E-324 to 1.79769313486232E308
for positive values
Currency 8 bytes -922,337,203,685,477.5808 to
922,337,203,685,477.5807
Decimal 14 bytes +/-79,228,162,514,264,337,593,543,950,335 with no
decimal point;
+/-7.9228162514264337593543950335 with 28 places
to the right of the decimal; smallest non-zero
number is
+/-0.0000000000000000000000000001
Date 8 bytes January 1, 100 to December 31, 9999
String 10 bytes + 0 to approximately 2 billion
(variable- string length
length)
Declaring an array actually reserves memory for the

entire array. VBA does not care whether you fill it
up or not, so be conservative when defining array
elements.
Procedures
new module.
4. Identify the procedure that you wish to declare the array
in or, start typing a new procedure.
6. Type Dim.
7. Type space.
8. Type a name for the array.
9. Type a space.
10. Type an opening bracket (.
11. Type the upper bound for the array, (this will be a single
number).
12. Type a closing bracket ).
13. Type a space.
14. Type As.
15. Type or select from the list an appropriate data type for
the array.
16. Press Enter.
ARRAY TYPES
Discussion
Changing the lower bound

The array described above is referred to as a zero-based array because the lower bound
is 0.
An array, however, can have ANY number as its lower bound, most usually a 1. This
makes it easier to use the array because it is more natural to the human mind to start
counting from 1 rather than 0!
To create an array with a lower bound that is NOT 0 you have to declare it as follows:
Dim arrData (1 To 5) As Type
The array above would contain 5 elements numbered from 1 to 5.
arrData(1) arraData(2) arrData(3) arrData(4) arrData(5)
If you wish ALL arrays on a module sheet to use 1 as the lower index, you can type
the words:
Option Base 1
...at the top of the module sheet (a module-level declaration). This

makes is more convenient because when it comes to declaring arrays in the module's
procedures, you can omit the 1 To part of the declaration. Hence, an array containing
5 elements would be declared as:
Dim arrData (5)
The Option Base 1 statement at the top of the module sheet indicates that the lower
bound is 1. The following extract from the VB Editor clarified the code.
Procedures
new module.
4. Identify the procedure that you wish to declare the array
in or, start typing a new procedure.
6. Type Dim.
7. Type space.
9. Type a space.
11. Type the lower bound (this will be a single number).
12. Type a space.
13. Type To.
14. Type the upper bound (this will be a single number)
16. Type a space.
17. Type As.
18. Type or select from the list an appropriate data type for
the array.
19. Press Enter.
Multi-dimensional arrays
The arrays described in the previous topics are one-dimensional arrays. A useful
analogy is to imagine the elements in one single row.
Arrays can have up to 60 dimensions, although 1, 2 or 3 are normally used. A 2-
dimensional array, for example, is useful for storing values from a worksheet that are
in columns and rows.
A 2-dimensional array is created by declaring it as follows:
Dim arrData (3 , 2) As Type

Or,
Dim arrData (1 To 4 , 1 To 3) As Type
Or, if Option Base 1 is used
Dim arrData (4 , 3) As Type
Any of the above would create an array that is 4 elements tall and 3 elements wide.
The example below fills the array with values from the range A1 to C4.
Dim arrData(1 To 4, 1 To 3) As Single
arrData(1, 1) = Range("A1").Value
arrData(1, 2) = Range("B1").Value
arrData(1, 3) = Range("C1").Value
A 3-Dimensional array could be declared as follows:
Dim arrData (1 To 3 , 1 To 2 , 1 To 4) As Type
Think of this array as a cube that has depth as well as height and
width.
3
3 3
To use this array to store values, you would need to refer to all three dimensions, for
example:
ArrData(1 , 1 , 1) = ...
ArrData(1 , 1 , 2) = ...
ArrData(1 , 1 , 3) = ...
ArrData(1 , 1 , 4) = ...
ArrData(1 , 2 , 1) = ...
ArrData(1 , 2 , 2) = ...
ArrData(1 , 2 , 3) = ...
ArrData(1 , 2 , 4) = ...
ArrData(2, 1 , 1) = ...
ArrData(2, 1 , 2) = ...
........etc.
Procedures
new module.
multidimensional array in or, start typing a new
procedure.
6. Type Dim.
7. Type a space.
9. Type a space.
11. Type the upper bound of the first dimension of the array
(this will be a single number).
12. Type a comma .
13. Type the upper bound of the second dimension of the
array (this will be a single number)
14. Continue typing commas and the upper bound of any

additional dimensions that you want your array to have.
16. Press Enter.
17. Type a space.
18. Type As.
19. Type a space.
20. Type and appropriate data type for the array.
21. Press Enter.
Keep in mind that an array should simplify a

process, not complicate it. Arrays can become very
complex, so if the array seems to take on a life of its
own, you might want to rethink your strategy
before things get too complicated!
ASSIGNING VALUES TO AN ARRAY

Discussion
As described above, an array stores its values in elements (separate sections of the
box). Each element has a numeric "address" (Index) to identify where in the array it is
stored . A simple analogy would be to imagine a tall building (the array) where each
floor is identified by a number (the element index).
Floor (6)
Floor (5)
Floor (4)
Floor (3)
Floor (2)
Floor (1)
Floor (0)
Note that the lowest element is not referred to as floor (1) but floor (0). By default,
arrays number their elements starting with 0 NOT 1. The lowest index of an array
(usually number 0) is known as the lower bound. The highest index of the array is
known as the upper bound.
As with a variable, creating an array starts with giving it a name. The naming rules
for variables apply equally to arrays and are given below:
Single characters (eg. a, b, c, x, y, z) should be avoided unless the array if being
used for simple counting purposes. Using this type of name can cause
ambiguity and it is better to use descriptive, but concise, names for your array,
eg: newnames, salesfigs, startdates, numcells.
An array name must start with a letter and not a number. Numbers can be
included within the name, but not as the first character, eg. salesfigs1 but not
1salesfigs.
The first character of an array name should be left lowercase. Because VBA
words always start with an uppercase character (eg. ActiveCell, WorkBook,
Cells, etc), keeping the first character lowercase helps make your arrays (like
variables) stand out more clearly in the sub procedure.
Avoid using names that conflict with VBA words such as: activecell,
sheets, font, cells, etc.
Spaces cannot be used in array names. You can separate words by either
capitalisation, eg. newNames, or by using the underscore character, eg.
new_names.
Most punctuation marks (eg. , . : ; ? -) and special characters (eg. $, %, ^, &, #,
}) cannot be used.
An array name can be no longer than 250 characters.
It is common practice to commence a variable name

with the prefix arr.
The example below shows how to create an array named arrData that stores the
values in the range B11:B16 in its elements numbered from 0 to 5.
arrData(0) = Range("B11").Value
arrData(0) through to arrData(5) can be used like normal variables. The following
example returns the contents of the above array into the range(D10:D15) of Sheet2.
Sheets("Sheet2").Range("D10").Value = arrData(0)
Procedures
new module.
assign values to the array.
6. Type the name of the array.
8. Type the index number of the array element where you
want to store the value (this will be a single number).
10. Type a space.
11. Type =.
12. Type a space.
13. Type the value that you want to store.
14. Press Enter.
FILLING ARRAYS USING LOOPS

Discussion
In the examples above, the elements in the array were filled with values individually
(eg. arrData(1) = Range("A1").Value). This would be very time consuming where
many values are concerned, and lacking in flexibility.
A common method, therefore, of filling an array is by using a For... Next loop. The
example below fills an array with values from the range A1 to A10. By referring to
the range with the Cells property, and making use of the For loop variable, the array
can be loaded in a fraction of a second.
Dim arrData(1 To 10) As Integer

Dim i as Byte
For i = 1 To 10
arrData(i) = Cells(i, 1).Value
Next i
The value in each element of the array can then be manipulated as necessary.
In the example below, the array, arrData, is filled with values from range A1 to A10
of Sheet1. The values are then returned to range A1 to J1 of Sheet2 with an additional
15% added.
Dim arrData(1 To 10) As Integer

Dim i As Byte
For i = 1 To 10
arrData(i) = Sheets("Sheet1").Cells(i, 1).Value
Next i
For i = 1 To 10
Sheets("Sheet2").Cells(1, i).Value = arrData(i) * 1.15
Next i
The following example uses a nested For... Next loop to fill a 2-dimensional array
with values from the range A1 to C3.
Dim arrData(1 To 3, 1 To 4) As Integer

Dim i As Byte
Dim j As Byte
For i = 1 To 3
For j = 1 To 4
arrData(i, j) = Cells(i, j).Value
Next j
Next i
Procedures
new module.
assign values to the array.
6. Type For.
7. Type a space.
8. Type a variable name for the For loop (eg. i).
9. Type =.
10. Type the lower bound of the array that you want the loop
to fill.
11. Type a space.
12. Type To.
13. Type a space.
14. Type the upper bound of the array that you want the
loop to fill.
15. Press Enter.
16. Type the name of the array.
18. Type the variable name that you have used for the loop.
20. Type a space.
21. Type =.
22. Type a space.
23. Type the value that you want to store.
24. Press Enter.
25. Type Next.
26. Type a space.
27. Type the variable name for the loop.
28. Press Enter.
DYNAMIC ARRAYS
Discussion
In earlier examples, we have known what size to make the array in advance, and
hence, been able to create the appropriate number of elements and/or dimensions.
This is known as a fixed-size array.
Sometimes, you may not know how many elements you need in an array until it has
been calculated out, usually in the form on a variable. In these cases, you declare a
dynamic array by creating a name for the array, adding brackets but leaving them
empty, eg.
Dim arrData() As Type
Once the number of elements and dimensions for the array have been determined, it
can be declared again but using the Redim statement. In the following example, a
dynamic array is declared at the beginning of the sub procedure. The number of
elements required is then calculated out and the array is redimensioned to the correct
size.
Dim arrData()
(declares the dynamic array)
numCels = Selection.Cells.Count
(counts the number of cells in a selected area of the worksheet)
ReDim arrData (1 To numCels) As Integer

(creates an array with the same number of elements as there are cells in the selected
area)
A dynamic array can be redimensioned as many times as necessary, but you cannot
change its data type from how you originally declared it. For example, the code
below would give an error message:
Dim arrData() As String

(declare dynamic array)
var1 = Selection.Cells.Count
(calculate size of array)
ReDim arrData(1 To var1) as Integer

(redim array as different data type)
Error Message
If all the elements in a dynamic array have been filled with values, and you need to
make it bigger, you can redim it again. Beware, however, that you may lose all the
original values in it. To avoid this happening you must use the Preserve keyword
after ReDim.
In the example below, the dynamic, 1-dimensional array arrData(1 To 4) has been
already been filled with values. It is then redimmed to make it bigger by two extra
elements (1 To 5). The keyword Preserve is used in the ReDim statement so that the
values in (1 To 3) are not lost.
Dim arrData() as String

(declare dynamic array)
ReDim arrData (1 To 3)
(redimension array to contain 3 elements)
arrData(1) = "Tom"
arrData(2) = "Harry"
arrData(3) = "Joe"
(fill array)
Redim Preserve arrData (1 To 5)

(redeclare array to make it bigger but retain its existing values)
arrData(4) = "Sally"
arrData(5) = "Jane"
(fill additional elements with values)
If Preserve had not been used, arrData(4) and arrData(5) would have successfully
stored Sally and Jane, but Tom, Harry and Joe would have been lost from arrData(1),
(2) and (3).
Once you have finished using a dynamic array, you

can use a ReDim statement to reclaim the memory
your array consumed, eg ReDim arrData(0 , 0) or
Erase arrData.
Procedures

new module.
6. Type Dim.
7. Type a space.
9. Type a space.
12. Press Enter.
13. Position the cursor further down the code where you
want to dimension the array.
14. Type ReDim.
16. Type the dimension(s) for the array
18. Press Enter.
THE ARRAY FUNCTION

Discussion
The Array function is an easy way to create and fill an array with values. Type all the
values that you want to store into the function argument separated by commas and it
will return a simple, 1-dimensional array that you can use in the same order as the
values were typed in.
The first element of the Array function always has an index of 0, irrespective of
any Option Base statement.
The Array function always returns an array of data type Variant.
Example 1 Create array from a list text strings
Dim arrWkDays () as Variant

arrWkDays = Array("Mon","Tue","Wed","Thu",Fri")
Example 2 using numbers as arguments
Dim arrTens as Variant

arrTens = Array(10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90)
Returning values from the Array function
As for arrays in general, the name of the array followed by the required element
index number in brackets, eg.
In example 1, Range("A1").Value = arrWkDays(0) would return Mon.
In example 2, Range("A1").Value = arrTens(4) would return 50.
Procedures
new module.
5. Type Dim.
6. Type a space.
8. Type a space.
9. Type As.
10. Type a space.
11. Type Variant.
12. Press Enter.
13. Position the cursor where you want to assign values to

the array function.
14. Type the name of the array as previously declared.
15. Type =.
16. Type Array.
18. Type the value(s) that you want the array to store,
separating each one with a comma.
20. Press Enter.
EXERCISE
VARIABLES AND ARRAYS
Task 1: Write a procedure that prompts the user to enter data, using variables and arrays.
1. Open the file Forecast. This workbook already contains a macro named
CreateNewForecast that makes a copy of the sheet - Template - at the end
of the workbook.
2. Add to this sub procedure, VBA code that:
a. prompts the user by means of an Input Box, for a month name to give
to the sheet. This value must be stored in a locally declared variable,
and then used to rename the sheet.
b. prompts the user by means of four Input Boxes, for some values to
enter into cells B2, C2, D2 and E2. These values should be stored in a
locally declared, 1-dimensional array and then entered into the
appropriate cells.
(Tip: Try using FOR NEXT loops for this purpose)
3. Assign the sub procedure to a worksheet button on the Template sheet and
then run and test it using some made-up data of your own. Correct code if
necessary.
Task 2: Use constants for storing data.
1. Insert a new module sheet into your Personal Macro Workbook.

2. Declare at module level, a constant named, PURPLE and assign to it the
value, 29.
3. Declare at module level, a constant named, ORANGE and assign to it the
value, 45.
4. Declare at module level, a constant named, ROSE and assign to it the
value, 38.
5. Declare at module level, a constant named, BLUE and assign to it the
value, 5.
6. Using the above constants, write a procedure named, ApplyColours that
formats:
a. the first row of a table with a purple background and a rose font;
b. the first column of a table with an orange background and blue
font.
7. Open the file, Sales Analysis.

8. Assign the macro created above to a custom button on your My Macros
Toolbar.
9. Run and test the sub procedure on the first two sheets of this workbook.
Correct code if necessary.
Task 3: Use a 2-dimensional array for storing data.
1. Open the file, Sales Analysis.

2. Switch to the VB Editor and insert a module sheet into this workbook.
3. Write a sub procedure named, TransferData that uses a 2-dimensional
array to store the data in range B2 to E7 of the sheet named Gross.
4. Add to the procedure additional code that returns the data discounted by
20% to the same range on the sheet named Net.
5. Assign this macro to a worksheet button on the Gross sheet.
6. Run and test the macro again. Correct any errors.
LESSON 3 - USER DEFINED FUNCTIONS
Use built-in Excel functions in a sub procedure
Use VBA functions in a procedure
Create and use custom function procedures

Excel Level 6: VBA Intermediate) Function Procedures
USING EXCEL WORKSHEET FUNCTIONS IN VBA

Discussion
Excel comes with many built-in functions as standard. In Excel 2007, the number is
approximately 350, although in previous versions it was significantly less. Each
function is designed to carry out a calculation by being given just a few pieces of
information. In some cases, the calculation performed is difficult to do by other
methods, but in many cases, the calculation performs a very simple or menial task,
but with greater ease and economy of time for the user.
Probably the best know Excel function is the SUM function. The sum function is
designed to add up numerical values in cells. All functions come in two parts, a name
and argument(s), for example:
= SUM (Range)
Name Argument
= IF (Logical Test, Value if True, Value if False)
Name Arguments
1,2,3
You can use many built-in Excel functions in sub procedures. In Excel 2007, the
number is approximately 280, but earlier versions had significantly less. The syntax is
as follows:
Application.WorkSheetFunction.<function name> (< argument(s)>)
To help you indentify available functions, the Auto Members List displays a list of
them after typing the dot (.) following WorksheetFunction.
Members list of Excel worksheet functions
The following statement returns into cell G10, the sum of the values in cells G2 to G9.
Range(G10).Value = Application.WorkSheetFunction.Sum(Range(G2:G9))
Note that the argument for the Sum function is not expressed in the usual Excel way,
(eg. G2:G9), but as a valid VBA reference to G2:G9, ie. Range(G2:G9).
Alternatively, Selection can be used as the argument. The following example selects
the range G2:G9 and returns the SUM result of the selection into cell G10.
Range(G2:G9).Select
Range(G10).Value = Application.WorkSheetFunction.Sum(Selection)
The statement can be shortened by omitting WorksheetFunction. This is fine if you

know the name of the function that you wish to use, because it will not produce the
relevant Auto Members List to help you.
Range(G10).Formula = Application.Sum(Range(G2:G9))
Note that both examples above do NOT write the actual formula into the cell. The
calculation is performed in the sub procedure, and the result only is returned to the
cell.
To show the SUM function in the cell, the following code has to be used:
Range(G10).Formula = =Sum(G2:G9)
This literally writes the formula into the cell as a string. Excel then takes over and
carries out the calculation.
For a full list of VBA functions (Excel 2003 but valid for other versions too) can be
found at the following Web address:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa221655(office.11).aspx
Procedures
new module.
use the workbook function.
5. Type the object to which you want the worksheet
function to refer to, eg. ActiveCell
7. Type Value.
8. Type =.
9. Type Application
11. Type WorkSheetFunction.
13. Type the name of the function that you want to use or,
select it from the list.
15. Type the argument(s) for the function (this has to be in a
VBA form, eg. Range(A1:A5) NOT A1:A5).
17. Press Enter.
VBA FUNCTIONS
Discussion
In addition to the Excel worksheet functions, there are approximately 92 VBA
functions (in Excel 2007) that can be used in sub procedures. In many cases, they
perform equivalent calculations to the Excel worksheet functions, but in some cases
augment them.
In some cases, where there is a VBA function to carry out a calculation, the equivalent
Excel worksheet function cannot be used, and will not appear in the Auto Members
List following WorksheetFunction..
Examples of VBA functions that have equivalent Excel worksheet functions, but
which are not written the same are:
VBA Function Excel Worksheet Description
Equivalent
Date =TODAY() Returns the current system date.
Rnd =RAND() Returns a random number greater
than or equal to 0 and less than 1.
UCase(string) =UPPER(text) Converts text to upper case.
LCase(string) =LOWER(text) Converts text to lower case.
IsNumeric(expression) =ISNUMBER(value) Checks whether a value is a number
and return TRUE or FALSE
Examples of VBA functions that have equivalent Excel worksheet functions, and
which are written the same are:
VBA Function Excel Worksheet Description
Equivalent
Round(expression,digits) =ROUND(number,digits) Rounds a number to the closest
number of digits, eg.
=ROUND(34.567,1) displays
34.6. =ROUND(34567,-3)
displays 35000.
Int(expression) =INT(number) Returns the whole part of a
number only, eg. =INT(34.567)
displays 34 and discards the
decimals.
Abs(number) =ABS(number) Returns a number without its
sign (ie. a negative becomes a
positive; a positive remains a
positive).
Day(date) =DAY(serial number) Returns the day that a date
falls on.
Month(date) =MONTH(serial Returns the month that a date
number) falls on.
Year (date) =YEAR(serial number) Returns the year that a date
falls on.
Now =NOW() Return the current system date
AND time.
Pmt(rate,periods,pv) =PMT(rate,nper,pv) Calculates the repayments for
a loan.
Fv(rate,periods,payment) =FV(rate,nper,pmt) Calculates the future value of
an investment.
There follow some examples of how some of these VBA functions might be used:
Range(A1).Value = Date
(Displays the current date in cell A1. The date is linked to the system clock so will be
updated automatically.)
ActiveCell.Value = Int(Rnd * 50)

(Displays in the currently selected cell a random whole number between 0 and 49 (inclusive))
Cells(2 , 2).Value = UCase(vba is great fun)

(Displays VBA IS GREAT FUN in cell B2)
ActiveCell.Offset(0 , 1).Value = Year(ActiveCell.Value)
(Assuming the active cell contains the date 15/05/2009, the cell immediately to its right will
display 2009)
If IsNumeric(ActiveCell.Value) Then ActiveCell.Clear
(Deletes the content of an active cell if it is a number)
Note that functions existing in VBA only, can only be used to return a value in the
sub procedure that that they are used in. For example, if you type directly into the
cell of a worksheet:
Range(E2).Value = =UCASE(D2) (where cell D2 contains the text, hello world)
...... you would get the #NAME? error. This is because although UCase works in a
VBA sub procedure, it is not recognised by Excel as a valid worksheet function. The
correct worksheet function to use is: = UPPER(text).
Procedures
new module.
use the VBA function.
5. Type the object to which you want the function to refer,
eg. ActiveCell
7. Type Value.
8. Type =.
9. Type the VBA function name.
11. Type the argument(s) for the function.
13. Press Enter.
USER-DEFINED FUNCTIONS
Discussion
It was described above how built-in worksheet or VBA functions can be used in sub
procedures. There may be times, however, when none these functions meet your
needs or meet then just partly. This is when a user-defined function procedure may
have to be created.
Unlike a sub procedure, a function procedure only returns a value. It does NOT
move around a workbook selecting worksheets and cells, changing their properties
and applying methods to objects. Like the dozens of built-in Excel and VBA functions
(eg. SUM, COUNT, LOOKUP, IF, PMT, DATE, etc...), they merely carry out a
calculation and return the result, either into the cell that they have been typed into or
to the sub procedure that they are being used in.
A function procedure is enclosed by, Function and End Function statements.
The function procedure must have a name that is (usually) followed by arguments
inside brackets. The arguments are the variables (pieces of information) that the
function needs in order to calculate out and return a value.
The following example shows a function procedure that is designed to calculate out
Value Added Tax (at the time of writing this was 15%).
Function VAT(amount)
VAT = amount * 0.15
End Function
The function procedure name is VAT and it requires a single piece of information
(variable) to calculate out a value: amount.
The calculation that the function needs to perform to return a value for VAT is
expressed in the statement: VAT = amount * 0.15.
This function could be used directly in a cell on a worksheet or it could be used in a
sub procedure. The example below shows it being used on a worksheet. By typing in
=VAT followed by an opening bracket, the amount that you want to carry out the
VAT calculation on (in this case, cell D6) and a closing bracket, the result will be
returned to the cell that the function is being typed into upon pressing Enter.
The examples below shows it being used in the same way, but in a sub procedure:
Range("E6").Value = VAT(Range("D6"))
(This will return the result only of the function into cell E6, not the formula itself)
Range(E6).Formula = =VAT(Range(D6))
Or,
ActiveCell.Formula = =VAT(ActiveCell.Offset(0 , -1).Value)
(These will write the actual formula into cell E6)
More examples are given below using multiple arguments and more code that is
complex.
The following uses two arguments to calculate the difference in years and decimal
fractions of a year, between two dates. The two arguments are separated by a comma:
Function AGE(current_date, date_of_birth)

days = current_date - date_of_birth
AGE = days / 365.25
End Function
The following function return 10% of sales but only where the sales value is greater
than or equal to 30000.
Function COM(sales_value)
If sales_value >= 30000 Then
COM = sales_value * 0.1
Else
COM = 0
End If
End Function
Procedures
3. Open the module sheet or, insert a new module.
4. Position the cursor in the module where you want to
create the function procedure.
5. Type Function.
6. Type a space.
7. Type a name for the function.
9. Type the variable name(s) for the function argument(s).
11. Press Enter.
12. Type the necessary calculation(s) to return a value for the
function.
13. Type End Function
14. Press Enter.
GETTING HELP WITH USER DEFINED FUNCTIONS

Discussion
Excel offers help in two ways when entering your user-defined function into a
worksheet.
The first is a Help Tip that appears as you type the function name in a cell. It appears
as a list showing functions that match your spelling. This is only available in Excel
2007. There are NO Help Tips for user-defined functions in previous versions of
Excel.
Help List in Excel 2007
The second way that you can get help with a user-defined function is by opening the
Insert Function window. This is available in all versions of Excel and offers help on
all Excel worksheet functions as well as any user defined ones available.
To find the user defined functions, you have to filter the Select a function: list by
selecting User Defined from the Or select a category: dropdown list.
The Insert Function window (Excel 2007) The Insert Function window (Excel 2000 -03)
Help pages are not available for user-defined functions. These have to be created
using Microsoft tools that are not part of VBA or Office.
Procedures
1. Select the cell where you want to use the user-defined function.
2. Press the button.

3. Click the Or select a category: list.
4. Select User Defined.
5. Select the required function.
6. Click OK.
7. Enter the required arguments.
8. Click OK.
It is possible, however, to add a description for a user defined function as follows.
Procedures
Excel 2000 - 2003 Excel 2007
1. Click the Tools menu. Click the View tab on the Ribbon.
2. Select Macro Macros... Click the Macros button.
3. Select View Macros....
4. Type the name of the Type the name of the user-defined
user-defined function in function in the Macro name: text box.
the Macro name: text box.
5. Click the Options button. Click the Options button
6. Type a description for the Type a description for the macro.
macro.
7. Click OK. Click OK.
8. Click Cancel. Click Cancel.
The description for the macro will appear when the macro is selected in the Insert
Function window.
Insert Function window showing description

for a user-defined function
DECLARING VARIABLES IN USER DEFINED FUNCTIONS

Discussion
As in a sub procedure, it is good practice to declare any variables used in a function
procedure. This includes:
the function name
the arguments, and
any additional variables created in the calculation.
The function name variable is declared at the end of the Function statement
immediately after the closing brackets of the arguments. The argument variables are
declared within the brackets of the argument following each variable. Any additional
variable created are declared at the beginning of the function procedure immediately
below the Function statement. The following example declares the variables as used
in the AGE function above. Underlining is used for clarity only:
Function AGE(current_date As Date , date_of_birth As Date) As

Single
Dim days As Single
days = current_date - date_of_birth
AGE = days / 365.25
End Function
USING RANGES IN USER DEFINED FUNCTIONS

Discussion
There are many Excel worksheet functions that take a range (or ranges) as arguments,
eg. SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, MAX, MIN, to name but a few.
Ranges can also be used as variables in user defined procedures and are normally
handled in the function procedure with a For... Each... Next loop (or loops).
The following example does the same as a simple SUM function:
Function MYSUM(cells_to_sum as Range) As Single

For Each indCel in cells_to_sum
MYSUM = MYSUM + indCel.Value
Next indCel
End Function
The loop repeats for as many cells as there are in the given argument (cells_to_sum).
At each iteration of the loop, the value of MYSUM becomes its previous value plus
the value of the next cell in cells_to_sum.
In the example shown in the pictures below, the loop iterates through the range C3 to
C9.
The value of MYSUM first time round the loop will be 0 (the value in the first cell).
The second time round the loop the value of MYSUM will be 3000 (its old value 0,
plus 3000 the value in the second cell of cells_to_sum); the third time round the
loop the value of MYSUM becomes 6200 (its old value 3000, plus 3200 the value in
the third cell of cells_to_sum). Hence, by the time it has completed the loop, the value
of MYSUM has risen to 12300. In essence, the loop carries out a cumulative addition
of cells_to_sum.
Procedures

3. Open the module sheet or, insert a new module.
4. Position the cursor in the module where you want to
create the function procedure.
5. Type Function.
6. Type a space.
7. Type a name for the function.
9. Type the variable name(s) for the function argument(s).
11. Press Enter.
12. Type the necessary calculation(s) to return a value for the
function.
13. Type End Function
14. Press Enter.
EXERCISES
USER DEFINED FUNCTIONS
Task 1: Create User Defined Functions.
1. Open the file Practice Functions.

2. The Temperature sheet gives formulas for converting Fahrenheit into Centigrade
and vice versa. Create two user-defined functions that will do the same.
Suggest starting with the lines:
Function DegF(TempC) to convert Fahrenheit to Centigrade and,
Function DegC(TempF) to convert Centigrade to Fahrenheit .

3. Create a function for calculating the hypotenuse of a right-angle triangle. Use the
existing formula in the Pythagoras sheet as a guide but beware that in Visual
Basic, the function for square root is SQR not SQRT as in Excel.
5. The Gas Bill sheet gives a complex series of calculations to arrive at a total charge
in column G. Create a user-defined function that will calculate the total for each
quarter. Test it in column H. The results should match those in column G. You
will probably need to use some extra variables in your code and a suggestion for
the arguments is:
Function GasBill (UnitsUsed, LowUnits, HighRate, LowRate)

Task 2: Create Complex User Defined Functions.
1. Open the file Sales Tracking.

2. Create in this workbook, a function procedure named HighSales, which will
return the number of sales in a range that are over 3000 in value. The first line
of the function procedure should be:
HighSales(RangeToCount)
3. Use the function in cell F22 of the spreadsheet, using the range F2:F20 as the
argument. The result should be 7.
4. Create another function in this workbook named CountText, which will return
the number of cells in a range containing a text value. The first line of the
function procedure should be:
CountText(RangeToCount)
5. Use the function on cell F23 of the spreadsheet, using the range A2:E20 as the
argument. The result should be 57.
LESSON 4 - ADD-IN APPLICATIONS
Create an Add-In
Viewing an Add-Ins code

Excel Level 6: VBA Intermediate Add-Ins
DEFINING AN ADD-IN
Discussion
An Excel Add-in is a compiled version of a workbook containing procedures,
toolbars and menu configurations, user-defined functions and forms and many other
VBA features. Add-ins usually provide additional functionality that makes the
standard application more powerful. In its simplest form the Add-in may just contain
user-defined functions.
An Add-in is saved like other files to a suitable location on your system (it has a .xla
extension) and added in when/if necessary to the Excel installation on your
computer. Like the Personal Macro Workbook, the Add-in file is normally kept
hidden in Excel, but can be viewed in the VB Editor.
Add-ins are a convenient way of distributing sub procedures, functions and other
VBA functionality to groups of users who can load them into their own Excel
application via a simple dialog box.
The Add-in dialog box (Excel all versions)
Excel comes with several built-in Add-ins; the number available varies with the
version. These can be accessed and loaded by opening the Add-ins dialog box.
When a workbook is saved as an Add-in, Excel converts its code into a compressed
form that cannot be read, altered or converted back into a workbook. This is to make
the code in the Add-in work more quickly than in the original workbook.
The workbooks Title and Comments, set in File Properties, are used as the name and
description to help identify Add-ins.
Because a compiled Add-in cannot be converted back to a workbook, it is essential
that before saving as an Add-in, the workbook is saved separately as a workbook. If
changes are needed, therefore, they can be written into the original workbook and
then resaved as another (or the same) Add-in.
When a workbook is made into an add-in, worksheets in the workbook are hidden,
and subroutines in the Add-ins project are hidden from the user (the routines do not
appear in the macros dialog box).
If the Add-in is saved to the XLSTART folder, its functionality applies as if it was
built into Excel.
CREATING AN ADD-IN FOR USER DEFINED FUNCTIONS

Discussion
Creating user-defined procedures as described in the previous lesson only makes
them available in the workbook that contains their code. To make them available to
all workbooks, the workbook containing the function procedures code has to be
saved as an Add-in, and then added in to the Excel installation on the users
computer.
To prevent the Add-in code being altered by users, it is advisable to password protect
the workbook before saving it as an Add-in. It is also advisable to give the workbook
file a title and description in order to make it more easily identified for use later.
Procedures Step 1: Protecting the Code

2. Select the workbook (VBA project) that contains the
function procedure code in the Project Explorer pane.
3. Click the Tools menu.
4. Select VBAProject Properties....
5. Open the Protection tab.
6. Click the Lock project for viewing check box.
7. Type a password in the Password text box.
8. Repeat typing the password in the Confirm password
text box.
9. Click OK.
Procedures Step 2: Adding File Properties

1. Switch to the Excel window.
2. Ensure you have active, the workbook containing the

function procedure code.
Excel 2000 - 03 Excel 2007
3. Click the File menu. Click the Microsoft Office
Button.
4. Select Properties. Point to Prepare and select
Properties in the side menu.
5. Type a descriptive name Type a descriptive name for
for the file in the Title: the file in the Title: text box.
text box.
6. Type an explanation of or Type an explanation of or a

purpose for the file in the purpose for the Add-in in
Comments: text box. the Comments: text box.
7. Click OK. Click the Close button in the
top right of the properties
pane.
Procedures Step 3: Saving As an Add-in

Excel 2000 - 03 Excel 2007
1. Click the File menu. Click the Microsoft Office
Button.
2. Select Save As. Point to Save As and
select Other Formats in the
side menu.
3. Type a name for the Add-in in the Name: text box.
4. Select Microsoft Office Excel Add-In from the Save as

type: dropdown list. (Wording may vary slightly
between versions)
The Save As dialog box (Excel 2003 shown). Appearance may vary
slightly between versions but basic functionality is the same.
5. If the Add-in is for your personal use only, leave the

location as selected by Excel (the default Add-Ins folder is
part of your personal profile).
If the Add-in is to be shared with other users, select a

suitable shared location in the Save in: dropdown list.
6. Click Save.
INSTALLING AN ADD-IN
Discussion
Once the Add-in has been created, prepared and saved as described in the topics
above, you, and other users, will need to install it on your (their) computer to make
the code available for use.
This is achieved by opening the Add-ins dialog box and depending on where it has
been saved, either selecting it from the list (if it has been saved in the default location)
or browsing to the location that it has been saved in (if you have selected your own
location).
If the Add-in file has been saved in the default location, it will appear in the list with
the name that you gave it as a Title in File Properties. If the Add-in file has been saved
in a different location, it will appear in the list after your browse for it.
After the Add-in has been selected and the dialog box confirmed, the procedure(s) in
it will be immediately available for use.
Procedures
Excel 2000 - 03 Excel 2007
1. Click the Tools menu. Click the Microsoft Office
Button.
2. Select Add-ins. Click the Excel Options
button.
3. Click the checkbox beside Select Add-ins in the pane at
the Add-in that you want the left.
to install, or...
...click Browse... and

open it from the location
where it has been saved.
At the bottom of the pane at
the right, click the Go...
button.
Click the checkbox beside the
Add-in that you want to
install, or...
...click Browse... and open it

from the location where it
has been saved.
EDITING AN ADD-IN
Discussion
If you encounter errors and need to debug the code in your add-in, you can make the
add-in visible and view the code provided you supply the proper project password.
Once the project is unprotected, you can view, debug the code and resave the Add-in.
Procedures
2. In the Project Explorer pane, double click the Add-in
(.xla file) in that you want to edit.
3. If password protected, you will be prompted for the
password.
4. Open the module containing the function procedure(s)
that you want to edit.
5. Make necessary changes to the code.
6. Click the Save button in the VB Editor.
REMOVING AN ADD-IN
Discussion
If you have many Add-in installed into Excel it can slow down its performance,
particularly when starting up and it has to load them all.
It is a good idea, therefore, to uninstall any Add-ins that are no longer required for
use. This does not delete the Add-in file (.xla); the file will still be available for re-
installing another time.
Procedures
Excel 2000 - 03 Excel 2007
1. Click the Tools menu. Click the Microsoft Office
Button.
2. Select Add-ins. Click the Excel Options
button.
3. Click the checkbox beside Select Add-ins in the pane at
the Add-in that you want the left.
to uninstall.
At the bottom of the pane at
the right, click the Go...
button,
Click the checkbox beside the
Add-in that you want to
uninstall.

EXERCISE
WORKING WITH AN ADD-IN
Task: To create and install to Excel, additional VBA functionality.
1. Open the file named, Conversions. This file contains several function procedures.
2. Carry out the necessary actions to save this file as an add-in, named Conversion
Functions.
3. Close the file.
4. Open the file named, Needs Functions.
5. Add into Excel the Conversion Functions saved above.
6. Test a couple of the functions on Sheet1.
7. Save and close Needs Functions.
8. Remove the Conversion Functions add-in from Excel.
LESSON 5 TESTING AND DEBUGGING CODE
Step through code to identify and/or rectify potential problems
Use the Locals and Watch Windows to observe variable values
Set a Breakpoint to halt execution of a procedure
Work with the Immediate Window to test code and variables

Excel Level 6: VBA Intermediate) Testing & Debugging Code
TYPES OF ERROR AND DEBUGGING

Discussion
There are various types of error that may occur whilst executing code (run-time), or
during the writing of the code (compile-time).
Errors fall into four broad types:
Language (syntax) errors occur as a result of misspells, leaving out essential
punctuation, or omitting keywords at the end of a statement (eg. If... without
End If).
Compile errors occur when the VB Editor cannot convert your statement
into viable code such as when you try to use a method or property on an object
that does not support it.
Run-time errors occur when the procedure is run and it encounters an
unexpected problem that did not show up during compilation or that the
developer did not anticipate.
Logical errors occur when the procedure produces unexpected results are
can be due to many reasons including a miscalculation of variables, incorrect
use of a method parameter or property value, or selecting an incorrect range,
worksheet or workbook.
Compile Error Warning
The good news is that the VB Editor can identify many language and compile errors
as soon as you press Enter at the end of a statement (or use the up/down arrow, or
click onto another statement). These errors, therefore, can normally be corrected
immediately. Some language and compile errors, however, can only be identified
during run-time.
In most cases, the cause of run-time errors can also be identified because the
procedure comes to a halt with a Run-time error message. If the Debug button is
clicked, it highlights in yellow the statement that failed (a condition known as break
mode).
Run-time Error Warning
Logical errors can be the most difficult to pin down and discovering the cause
usually involves going through the procedure statement by statement (a technique
known as stepping) until it becomes apparent where it goes wrong.
Stepping can also be used in conjunction with the Watch or the Locals window.
These keep an eye on your variable as you step the code and can indicate where and
when a variable may not be behaving as expected!
The VB Editor provides various tools to help locate the source and cause of any run-
time errors detected. This lesson will examine four of them:
1. Stepping
2. Watching variables
3. Creating Breakpoints
4. Using the Immediate Window
STEPPING THROUGH A PROCEDURE

Discussion
Step Into
Normally, your code runs unattended; it executes until its logical end. When you are
testing code, however, it is often useful to step through it line by line, watching each
line of code take effect. This makes it easy to determine exactly which line is not
producing the desired effect.
You can step through code line by line by selecting Step Into from the Debug menu of
the VB Editor or, by pressing the F8 key to start the procedure in which the cursor is
and then pressing F8 to step each statement.
Stepping causes VBA to execute each line one at a time, highlighting the next line of
code in yellow. Note, the highlighted line is the line of code that will execute when
you next press F8; it does not mean it has already been executed.
A Procedure being Stepped Into
By showing the Debug toolbar in the VB Editor (View,

Toolbars), access to the various debugging and testing
tools can be made quicker and more obvious.
The Debug Toolbar (all versions)
Button Function
Toggle Placing Breakpoints within your code will
Breakpoint stop execution at that point.
Quick After selecting an expression, you would use
Watch the Quick Watch button and Add button. The
watch window will show the information
about the expression. (Use Step Into).
Step Into Using the Step Into button allows you to
execute one line of code at a time
Step Over Step Over executes called sub Procedures
without stepping through them.
Step Out Step Out completes execution of the current
procedure and pauses on the next line.
Step Over
If you are stepping a procedure that calls another procedure, the VB Editor will step
into the called procedure and execute it line by line.
You can, therefore, click Debug, Step Over (or press SHIFT F8) to cause the entire
called procedure to be executed immediately. This will make debugging simpler if
you are confident that the problem does not lie within that called procedure.
Step Over takes you back to the statement following where the called procedure was
called.
Step Out
In you are stepping through a called procedure statement-by-statement, you can click
Debug, Step Out (or press CTRL+SHIFT+F8) to come out of the that procedure. This
causes VBA to execute until the end of the procedure (an End Sub or Exit Sub
statement) and then stop at the line of code immediately following the line that called
the procedure.
A useful way of stepping is to tile the VB Editor

window and the Excel window. As you step through
the procedure, you will be able to see exactly what the
effect of each statement is in Excel. This can help
identify errors or potential problems more easily.
Procedures
(VBA project) containing the procedure that you want to
step through.
3. Open the module sheet containing the procedure.
4. Click the Debug menu.
5. Select Step Into.
6. Continue selecting Step Into (or press F8) until you get to
the end of the procedure.
Stepping a Procedure - the VB Editor and Excel Tiled Side-by-Side
DISPLAYING VARIABLE VALUES

Discussion
Logical errors can, and often do, occur as a result of variables that are not calculating
or picking up their values as expected. The Locals and Watch windows can be used
while stepping to display the behaviour of variables and hence, assist in identifying
errors and potential problems.
Locals Window
The Locals Window displays all the variables in a procedure (as well as global
variables declared at the project or module level), and their values. This makes it easy
to see exactly what the value of each variable is at a particular point in the procedure
and how it changes as you step through the code. You can display the Locals
Window by choosing it from the View menu. The Locals Window does not allow you
to change the values of variables, it simply displays their names and values.
Procedure being Stepped with the Local Window Displaying all

Variables in the Procedure and their Current Values
The value of a variable at a particular point can also

be seen as you step through a procedure by holding
the mouse pointer over the variable name.
Displaying the Value of a Variable While Stepping
Procedure
add a watch to.

4. Position the cursor on the procedure containing the
variables that you want to watch.
5. Click the View menu.
6. Select Locals Window.
8. Select Step Into. Observe the variable values in the
Locals window.
9. Continue selecting Step Into (or press F8) and observing
the variable values until you get to the end of the
procedure.
Watch Window
The Watch Window allows you to be more selective about which variable(s) you
"watch." You can set a variable with three watch types:
Watch Type Description
Watch Expression Watches the variable statement-by-statement as you
step through the procedure (same as Locals Window).
Break When Value Is Halts the procedure and enters break mode when the
True variable is given a value (value becomes TRUE).
Break When Value Halts the procedure and enters break mode each time
Changes that the value of the variable changes.
The Add Watch Window
Procedure

add a watch to.
4. Click the View menu.
5. Select Watch Window.
6. Right-click the variable name in the procedure that you
want to watch.
7. Select Add Watch....
8. Repeat 6 above for all other variables that you want to
watch
9. Click OK.
11. Select Step Into. Observe the variable values in the
Watch window.
12. Continue selecting Step Into (or press F8) and observing
the variable values until you get to the end of the
procedure.
13. Click the close button in the top right of the Watch
window.
BREAK MODE
Discussion
A break point is a setting on a line of code that tells VBA to pause execution
immediately before that line of code is executed and code execution is placed in what
is called break mode. When the VB Editor is in break mode, you can edit the procedure
as normal.
To put a break point on a line of code, place the cursor on that line select Debug,
Toggle Breakpoint, press F9, or click in the grey bar at the left of the module next to
the line where you want to add the break point.
Removing a break point is the same as applying one (hence, toggle).
When a line contains a break point, it is displayed with a brown coloured
background and a large dot in the grey band at the left of the module sheet.
Immediately before this line of code is executed, it will appear with a yellow
background. When a break point is encountered, code execution is paused but that
line of code has not yet executed. You cannot place break points on blank lines,
comment lines, or variable declaration lines (lines with Dim statements).
After a break point is encountered, you can resume normal code execution by
pressing F5, selecting Run, Continue, clicking the Continue button, or stepping
through the code line by line (F8).
Break points are not saved in the workbook file. If

you close the file, all break points are removed.
Breakpoints are preserved only while the file is
open.
Procedure with a Breakpoint Applied
Procedures
3. Open the module sheet containing the code that you
want to add a breakpoint to.
add the breakpoint.
6. Select Toggle Breakpoint.
7. Click the Run button . The procedure will execute

down to the breakpoint and then enter break mode.
8. Step through the rest of the procedure.
9. Position the cursor on the statement containing the
breakpoint.
11. Select Toggle Breakpoint.
Break points can also be toggled by clicking on the

grey band immediately to the right of the module
sheet.
Immediate Window
The Immediate Window is a window in the VB Editor where you can try out
statements and/or variables while your code is in Break mode or when no macro
code is executing. It is most useful when testing new or problematic code.
To display the Immediate Window, press CTRL+G or select View, Immediate
Window.
VB Editor with the Immediate Window Displayed
In the Immediate Window, you can test a statement by typing it in and pressing
Enter. For example:
or,
Selection.Interior.Color = vbMagenta
A useful way of using the Immediate Window is to tile

the VB Editor window and the Excel window. As you
press Enter on each statement, you will be able to see
exactly what the effect is in Excel.
To test a variable in the Immediate Window, create the variable name and give it a
value. Press Enter. Type on the next line: ?variablename and press Enter. The value
of the variable will be given on the line below. For example:
numCols = Selection.Columns.Count
?numCols
12
Or,
?ActiveCell.Address
$A$10
Because of the way that the Immediate Window is designed to work, it will not allow
you to test statement blocks (eg, If..., For... , Select Case... etc.). You can, however,
combine several "logical" lines of code in to a single "physical" line of code using
the colon (:) and execute this as an entire command. For example:
If ActiveCell.Value < 1000 Then: ActiveCell.Value = 0: Else: ActiveCell.Value = 1
End IF is NOT used when writing the If statement block

on one single line.
You can extend a single statement across several lines in

the Immediate Window by using the line-continuation
character (a space followed by an underscore (_)).
The Immediate Window always behaves as if there is no Option Explicit statement in

the active code module (see page 20), namely, you don't have to declare variables that
you will be using in the Immediate Window commands. In fact, this is prohibited
and you will receive an error message if you attempt to use Dim in the Immediate
Window.
There is no programmable way of clearing the

Immediate window. You have to select the text and
press Delete on the keyboard.
Procedures
2. Click the View menu,
3. Select Immediate Window.

4. Position the cursor in the immediate window.
5. Write and test code as necessary.
Debug.Print
You can use the Debug.Print statement anywhere in your code to display messages
or variable values in the Immediate Window. These statements do not require any
confirmation or acknowledgement so will not affect the execution of your code, so it
is safe to leave in the code when it is distributed to your users.
They are used purely to explain, clarify, remind or note what is taking place at a
particular point of the procedure.
They are much like comments except that they are written for you to see in the
Immediate Window. If the Immediate Window is not displayed, Debug.Print has no
effect.
For example, you can send a message to the Immediate Window when a particular
section of code is executed.
Some code...
Debug.Print "Starting Code Section 1"
More code...
Debug.Print Procedure is now calling Procedure2
See also Appendix III, Debug.Assert on page 123.

EXERCISE
TESTING AND DEBUGGING CODE
Task: To test and identify problems and errors in a sub procedure
1. Open the file, Workbook to Debug.

2. Tile vertically the Excel and VB Editor windows.
3. Step the macro EnterDateTime and identify any problems.
4. Correct the error(s) and step the macro again to ensure it works correctly. It
should enter the date into cell A1 and the time into the cell below it.
5. Run the sub procedure CellsToCheck.
6. Step the macro to identify the problem (you may also find it useful to Watch
the counter variable as you step).
7. Run the LeapYears sub procedure and note the incorrect result.
8. Step the sub procedure together with the Locals window and identify the reason
for the incorrect result. Correct the code so that it runs correctly.
9. Show the Debug toolbar.
10. Step through the procedure named, Main using the Step Into.
11. Repeat 10 above using the Step Over button. Note how it omits stepping the
called procedures.
LESSON 6 ERROR HANDLING & TRAPPING
Handle errors using an If statement
Trap errors using the On Error statement
Trap errors by means of their error codes

Excel Level 6: VBA Intermediate) Error Handling & Trapping
ERROR HANDLING USING IF

Discussion
If an error occurs whilst a macro is running, it will either cause the macro to fail (run-
time error), or make it behave unpredictably.
If the error is anticipated, however, the code can be written in such a way that makes
the procedure continue to execute, or informs the user what the problem is and gives
them the opportunity to take corrective action and continue, or take an alternative
course of action.
While it is almost impossible to anticipate every run-time error that might occur, a
good developer will always add some error handling code which as a minimum,
terminates the procedure with a user-friendly message instead of the infamous and
often inexplicable Run-time error window!
The simplest way to deal with errors, if possible, is to use an If... Then... Else
statement. This can check for a criteria and allow execution of the rest of the code
only if that criteria is true, otherwise, it could terminates the procedure or make it
follow a different course of action.
Consider the examples below:
If Selection.Cells.Count >1 Then

...code
Else
MsgBox This macro requires more than one cell to be selected. Procedure will terminate
Exit Sub
End If
Or,
If ActiveCell.Address = $A$1 Then
...code
Else
MsgBox Incorrect cell selected. Select A1 and run again
Exit Sub
End If
In both cases, the selection is tested and if true, a message is displayed to explain the
problem before terminating execution of the procedure.
In the following example, an input box is displayed for the user to enter a number. If
the user accidentally enters a text value or clicks Cancel (both string values), a run-
time error occurs when the procedure attempts to use the string in the calculation.
interestRate = InputBox("Enter today's interest rate")

Range("B1").Value = Range("A1").Value * interestRate
Type mismatch run-time error
By using an If... Then... Else function, together with the IsNumeric function to check
that the input is valid before attempting the calculation, the run time error can be
handled in a more user-friendly way, eg:
If IsNumeric(interestRate) And interestRate >= 0 Then

Else
MsgBox "Input is not valid or user clicked Cancel"
End If
There are several Is... functions in VBA that can be used in a similar way:
IsArray
IsDate
IsEmpty
IsError
IsMissing
IsNull
IsObject
Procedures

new module.
add the error handling code.
5. Type If.
6. Enter a valid test to validate a condition encountered by
the procedure at that point.
7. Type Then.
8. Press Enter.
9. Type code to execute if the test is true.
10. Press Enter.
11. Type Else.
12. Press Enter.
13. Type code to execute if the test is false.
14. Press Enter
15. Type End If.
ERROR TRAPPING
Discussion
While If...Then...Else is a good, simple way of testing for correct input, it is not able
to handle all errors under all circumstances. In most cases, error trapping code will
almost certainly be needed. This come in three forms:
On Error Resume Next
On Error GoTo
Resume
The error trap is turned on and sits in wait until an error occurs or until the
trap is turned off. The On Error statement is normally written into the procedure
just above where the anticipated error may occur. In many cases, this will be at the
top of the procedure just below any variable and/or constant declarations.

Some errors can be safely ignored; a procedure encountering non-significant errors
can often still execute successfully through to the end.
On Error Resume Next tells the procedure to ignore any statements producing a run-
time error, and continue with the next statement.
The code below is designed to hide all toolbars. Some toolbars, however, do not have
a visible property and the following run-time error will be generated.
For Each cmdbar In Application.CommandBars

If cmdbar.Visible = False Then cmdbar.Visible = True
Next cmdBar
By writing the code as follows, the run-time error window will be ignored and the
procedure will successfully continue and hide all the toolbars.
For Each cmdbar In Application.CommandBars

If cmdbar.Visible = False Then cmdbar.Visible = True
Next
The following example deletes ALL files from three folders (Data1, Data2 and Data3)
on the H:\ drive.
Kill "h:\Data1\*.*"
Kill "h:\Data2\*.*"
Kill "h:\Data3\*.*"
If a folder does not contain any files, the following run-time error message will occur:
This is a classic case of where the error can be ignored; if the folder is already empty,
then it does not need emptying, so VBA can safely ignore it and continue with the
next one!
Kill "h:\Data1\*.*"
Kill "h:\Data2\*.*"
Kill "h:\Data3\*.*"
In the earlier example on page 84 where the user is prompted for a numeric input, On
Error Resume Next would negate the need for the If... Then... Else.

The result in this case, however, is hardly ideal because although the run-time error
message does not appear, the procedure results in nothing happening! This is where
a different On Error statement is needed.
On Error GoTo <label>

On Error GoTo diverts the code to a specific location further down the procedure
(usually at the end just above End Sub) where an "error handling routine" takes over.
This location can be marked with a "label" (a made-up word followed by a colon (:))
or a line number.
The error handling routine can just be a message explaining the problem and ending
the procedure. Alternatively, it could explain the problem, advice on how to rectify it
and provide the opportunity to return to where the error occurred and try again.
In the example on page 87, using On Error GoTo would be as follows:
On Error GoTo errhandle

errhandle:
MsgBox "Invalid Data entered or user clicked Cancel"
End Sub
It is true that this code in its current form does not contribute any more than using
the If...Then...Else explained on page 84. Its advantage, however, lies in its ability to
return to where the error occurred and attempt the statement again. This involves the
use of the word Resume.
Resume
The keyword Resume tells VBA to retry the statement that failed. It can only be used
as part of an error handling routine, and is always used on its own (eg. On Error
Resume will cause an error). The error handling routine above, therefore, could
explain the problem the return the user to try again as follows:

errhandle:
MsgBox "Invalid Data entered or user clicked Cancel"
Resume
End Sub
The code above, however, does not give the user an opportunity NOT to return and
try again. So the next step in making the error handling routine as user-friendly as
possible, is to provide an interactive message box displaying a message explaining
the problem, asking whether the user WANTS to try again, and providing two
buttons (Yes and No) with which to respond.
Creating an interactive message box is covered in the Excel Introduction to VBA

Course. An extract of the course materials are given in Appendix IV on page 125. The
example below assumes knowledge and experience of this topic.

errhandle:
response = MsgBox("Invalid Data Entered. Do you want to try again?", vbYesNo)
If response = vbYes Then
Resume
End If
The final (and very important!) step is to prevent the error handling routine being
executed when the procedure runs WITHOUT any errors. This is achieved by
including the words Exit Sub immediately above the error routine label. The
complete procedure with error handling code is given below:
Sub CalculateInterest
Dim interestRate as Single

Exit Sub
errhandle:
Resume
End If
End Sub
Resume Next can be used as an alternative to

Resume in an error handling routine. It passes
control to the line following the statement that
caused the error.
Procedures
new module.
4. Position the cursor on the line below the Sub statement.
5. Type On Error GoTo errhandle (or other label to
identify a point further down in the procedure where the
procedure must divert to if a runtime error occurs.
6. A the bottom of the procedure and immediately above
the End Sub statement, type errhandle (or other label
used).
7. Type a colon.
8. Press Enter.
9. Type appropriate error handling code for the anticipated
error using the examples above.
10. Position the cursor on the line immediately above the
errhandle label.
11. Type Exit Sub.
12. Press Enter.
TRAPPING ERRORS WITH ERR NUMBERS

Discussion
Most run-time errors generate error numbers (see Appendix II on page 119). When
the On Error Goto <Label> is used to trap errors, the number of any error is returned
by the Err Function that acts like a public variable. The value of Err, therefore, can be
tested and acted upon using an If... Then... Else statement.
In the example below, there exists the possibility of two different run-time errors
occurring:
Err number 13 - due to incorrect data being entered

Err number 9 due to the Interest Calcs sheet not existing in the workbook
Sub CalculateInterest
Dim interestRate as Single
Sheets("Interest Calcs").Activate
Exit Sub
errhandle:
Resume
End If
End Sub
The solution is to substitute the following code as the error handling routine:
errhandle:
If Err.Number = 13 Then
Resume
End If
ElseIf Err.Number = 9 Then
MsgBox ("Sheet Interest Calc not found. Please check sheet names and re-run procedure")
Else
MsgBox "Unexpected error. Procedure will terminate"
End If
Procedures
new module.
4. Position the cursor on the line below the Sub statement.
5. Type On Error GoTo errhandle (or other label to
identify a point further down in the procedure where the
procedure must divert to if a runtime error occurs.
6. A the bottom of the procedure and immediately above
the End Sub statement, type errhandle (or other label
used).
7. Type a colon.
8. Press Enter.
9. Type If.
10. Type a space.
11. Type err.Number = .
12. Type the anticipated error number.
13. Type a space.
14. Type Then.
15. Press Enter.
16. Type appropriate code to handle the error generated by
the error number in the previous test.
17. Press Enter.
18. If it is anticipated that the procedure may generate
additional error numbers, type ElseIf.
19. Type a space.
20. Type err.Number = .
21. Type the anticipated error number.
22. Type a space.
23. Type Then.
24. Press Enter.
25. Type appropriate code to handle the error generated by
the error number in the previous test.
26. Press Enter.

27. Continue as described in 18 26 above for any further
anticipated error codes.
28. Press Enter.
29. Type Else:.
30. Press Enter.
31. Type MsgBox An unexpected error has occurred. This
is to cover any errors NOT anticipated by the If/ElseIf(s)
above.
32. Press Enter.
33. Type End If.
34. Position the cursor on the line immediately above the
errhandle label.
35. Type Exit Sub.
36. Press Enter.
On Error GoTo 0
This statement disables a previous On Error Resume Next or On Error Goto Label
statement. When the next error occurs, an error message will be generated and the
procedure will fail, eg:
On Error Resume Next ' trap errors from here onwards
Kill "h:\Data1\*.*"
Kill "h:\Data2\*.*"
Kill "h:\Data3\*.*"
On Error GoTo 0 'stop trapping errors from here onwards
Procedures
new module.
4. Position the cursor in the procedure where you want the

error handling no longer to have an effect.
5. Type On Error GoTo 0.
6. Press Enter.
Err.Description
A common way of creating a user-friendly run time error message is by creating a
custom message box quoting the error number and the error description. For
example, the code could be as follows (line continuation characters have been used
for clarity but are not required):
MsgBox "The error " & Err.Description & _

" has occurred. Please contact the Helpdesk and quote error number " _
& Err.Number & ". Thank you."
It is true to say that this message box does not say much more than the normal, run-
time error window, but it is rather less scary and upon clicking OK, does not
potentially leave the procedure hanging in break mode.
EXERCISE
DEALING WITH POTENTIAL ERRORS IN PROCEDURES
Task 1: To effectively handle errors using a simple IF statement.
1. Open the file Error Handle.

2. Run the sub procedure CircData (click the Circle worksheet button), which
calculates the circumference and area of a circle.
3. Enter a value of 10 for the radius of the circle.
4. A message box should appear giving you the area and circumference.
5. Run the sub procedure again but just click the Cancel button.
6. Note the run-time error message and click End.
7. Repeat running the sub procedure but this time enter a text value as the radius
of the circle.
8. Note the run-time error message and click End.
9. Add a simple IF statement to deal with the above-demonstrated errors.
10. Repeat 5 and/or 7 above and check that the procedure now works correctly.
Task 2: Trapping errors in a sub procedure.
1. Open the file Trap Error.

2. This workbook contains a macro that is designed to delete a file.
3. The macro already contains a simple IF statement to handle the error
generated if the user clicks the Cancel button.
4. Run the macro by clicking the worksheet button on Sheet1 and enter the
filename, Remove Me (not case sensitive) into the input box.
5. You should receive confirmation that the file has been successfully deleted.
6. Repeat 4 above. Note the error message and write down the error number.
7. Add code to deal with the error in a more user-friendly way. The code
should:
a. display a message explaining the error (eg. File not found);
b. offer options to either try again or cancel the task;
c. return control to where the error occurred, if applicable.

8. Run and test the sub procedure again. Correct any errors.
9. Open the file Remove Me Too.
10. Leave this file open and switch back to the Trap Error workbook.
11. Run the Delete Old File macro and attempt to delete Remove Me Too. Is
your previous code handling the error correctly?
12. De-activate the error handling code by commenting out the On Error GoTo
statement at the top of your procedure.
13. Run the Delete Old File macro again.
14. Note the error message. How does it differ from the one displayed in 4
above? (Tip: note the error number)
15. Edit the DeleteOldFile sub procedure with some additional error-trapping
code to deal with both potential errors in a more user-friendly way.
16. Re-activate the error handling code at the top of the procedure.
17. Test the macro by attempting again to delete Remove Me Too.
18. The file should be successfully deleted.
19. Save and close all open files.
BEWARE - files deleted by a macro cannot be recovered.

LESSON 7 - BUILT-IN DIALOG BOXES AND
CUSTOM USERFORMS
Display built-in dialog boxes
Create and display user defined forms
Use controls on userforms
Add code to create event procedures for the useform

Excel Level 6: VBA Intermediate) Dialog Boxes and Userforms
EXCEL DIALOG BOXES

Discussion
Dialog boxes allow applications to interact with their users. A built-in Excel dialog
box can be used in a procedure giving a quick, easy way to request information from,
or display information to, the user.
Excel contains approximately 200 built-in dialog boxes. Each dialog box is identified
by a constant (referred to as enumerators). These constants are all prefixed with
xlDialog. Use the Object Browser to browse the list of dialog box constants or pick
from the list of constants displayed when typing in the VB Editor.
The Show method of the Dialogs property displays and executes any action taken in a
built-in Excel dialog box. To access a particular built-in Excel dialog box, specify an
xlDialog constant with the dialogs property of the Application object. For example,
the following line of code displays the Save As dialog box, eg:
Application.Dialogs(xlDialogSaveAs).Show
Procedures
new module.
show the built-in dialog box.
5. Type Application.
7. Type Dialogs.
9. Type or select from the list the dialog box required.
11. Press Enter.
USER-DEFINED FORMS
Discussion
As with built-in dialog boxes, User-Defined Forms (or just User Forms) can be
created to allow an applications to interact with the user. UserForms are, in essence,
dialog boxes that you design yourself for a special purpose that is not met by the
built-in ones.
Creating a functioning UserForm can be broken down into five steps:
1. Inserting a blank UserForm into a workbook
2. Adding controls to the form.
3. Giving the controls necessary properties.
4. Adding VBA code behind the form in order to make it respond to the user
input.
5. Adding code to display the form.
Controls can also be added directly on to a

worksheet or a chart. This topic is covered in the
Microsoft Excel Level 4 Course.
INSERTING A USERFORM INTO A WORKBOOK

Before a UserForm can be created, a blank form has to be inserted into the workbook
that the form applies to. It is a good idea to have clearly in your mind what you want
the UserForm to achieve before making a start as this will determine the controls that
need to be placed on it and how they are setup and programmed.
Procedures
1. Launch the VB Editor.
2. Right-click the workbook that you want to insert the
UserForm into.
3. Point to Insert .
4. Select UserForm.
ADDING CONTROLS TO A FORM

Controls are the objects that you can add to a user form so that the user can talk
with it (hence, dialog box). These appear on the Toolbox toolbar when a UserForm is
inserted into a workbook in the VB Editor, and are quite literally drawn onto the
form.
The UserForm Toolbox toolbar
These are as follows:

Name of Control Button Image Description
Select Objects Selects objects on a form
Label Static text that is displayed to inform the

user
Text Box Mostly used when a typed-in input is
requested from the user
Combo Box Displays a dropdown list of values to
choose from
List Box Displays a fixed list of values to choose
from (possibly with scroll bar)
Check Box A box allowing the user to set a yes/no,
true/false value
Option Button A button (often referred to as radio
button) allowing the user to set a yes/no,
true/false value. Usually used in groups
(see below)
Toggle Button A button allowing the user to set a
yes/no , true/false value. The button
appears pressed in when on and out
when off.
Frame Used to create group of option buttons.
This allows only one option button at a
time to be active.
Command Button A button for running a command. Most
commonly used to OK or Cancel the
UserForm.
Name of Control Button Image Description

Tab Strip A TabStrip is used to view different sets
of information for related controls
MultiPage Used generally for large amounts of
data that needs to be shown in separate
tabs
Spin Button Allows the user to select a numerical
value by clicking up and down buttons.
The Spin Button needs a text box to
display (return) its values.
Scroll Bar Similar to a Spin Button but in the form
of a bar with a sliding lever.
Image Displays a picture. File formats vary
with Excel versions but most common
are: .bmp, .jpg, .wmf, .gif, .ico.
RefEdit Similar to a text box control but contains
a button at the right that collapses the
form thus allowing easier selection of
cells behind it.
It is advisable to have clear in your mind what controls the form should contain
before you start. Design the form on paper before you start.
Procedures
1. Click in the Toolbox, the button for the control that you
want to draw on the form.
2. Click the mouse pointer (black cross) on the form where
you want the top left corner of the control to be placed.
3. Point to the grey border on the edge of the control
(mouse pointer changes to a crosshair.

4. Click and drag to move the control, if necessary.
5. Point to one of the white square on the corners or edges
of the control (mouse pointer changes to a double headed
arrow.
6. Click and drag to resize the control, if necessary.
7. In the case of:

Labels
Command buttons
Check boxes
Options buttons
Click on any visible text (Caption property) and replace it
with a description of what the control stores or does, eg.
a command button might have the text OK or Cancel on
it.
8. Continue drawing, moving and resizing controls as
necessary.
In cases where text cannot be written directly on the

control (eg. Frames, MultiPage and the form title),
use the Caption property for the control.
Double-clicking a button on the Toolbox toolbar

allows multiple controls of that type to be drawn on
the form. Clicking the button again (or pressing
ESC) cancels this operation.
FORM CONTROLS DESIGN TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES

Grouping
Grouping controls, temporarily joins them together so that they can be moved,
resized, aligned and formatted simultaneously.
Controls can also be grouped together permanently.
Procedures
1. Click the first control that you want to include in the
group.
2. Hold down the SHIFT key.
3. Click the next control that you want to include in the
group.
4. Continue holding down the SHIFT key and clicking

control to include in the group.
5. Release the SHIFT key when all the controls have been
selected.
6. Move or resize any of the grouped control.
7. Click the Format menu.
8. Point to the appropriate command to format and layout
the grouped controls.
9. Click away from the grouped controls to cancel the

selection.
Grouped Labels and Text Boxes on a UserForm
To permanently group controls together, select

them as described above and then click the Format
menu, Group command in the VB Editor.
To gain quicker and easier access to control layout

and formatting commands, the UserForm toolbar
can be displayed in the VB Editor.
Click the View menu, point to Toolbars and

select UserForm from the side menu.
The UserForm Toolbar in the VB Editor
CONTROL PROPERTIES
Each form control has a list of properties that can be displayed and (if necessary)
changed in the Properties pane.
Many properties can be modified by directly formatting the control on the form;
others are set from the properties window. Properties can also be set or modified at
run-time, ie. when the form is displayed.
A comprehensive list of all properties for all form control would be too long and
unnecessary for this booklet, but help can be sought by clicking onto a property in
the properties pane and pressing F1.
VB Editor showing the Properties Pane in lower left corner
If the Properties pane is not visible, click View

Properties, press F4 or click the Properties button
on the VB Editor toolbar.

For the purposes of a UserForm, the property that would usually need to be set for all
controls on the form is the Name property. Giving the controls a clear, consistent and
descriptive name makes them easier to identify when it comes to programming the
form.
Adding a Name Property to a Text Box Control
Control Naming Convention

While there seem to be no hard and fast rules to naming form controls, the use of
prefixes to describe the type of control is a recommended approach. For example,
naming a control txtDate or chkMkItalic makes it clear what type of control it is (text
box / check box), and what it holds or does (date / makes italic).
The following list can be used as a guide to prefixes for the more common form
controls:
Control Type Prefix
Label lbl
Text Box txt
Combo Box cbo
List Box lst
Check Box chk
Option Button opt
Command Button cmd or btn
Spin Button spn
Scroll Bar scr
Image img
The form itself should also be named. The prefix to

use is frm, eg. frmDataEntry.
Procedures (naming a control)

2. Identify the workbook containing the UserForm that you

want to modify control properties for.
3. Display the form.
4. Select a control that you want to name.
5. Click the Name box in the Properties pane.
6. Type a name for the control, bearing in mind the naming
convention described above.
7. Press Enter.
To add a name property for a form, click the grey

form background or its blue title bar.
PROGRAMMING A USERFORM
Discussion
UserForms and controls have a predefined set of events. For example a command
button has a click event, a procedure that runs when the user clicks the command
button. UserForms have an initialise event that runs when the form is loaded.
In order for a UserForm to work in the expected way (ie. as a dialog box), it has to
have at least two event procedure one for when the OK button is pressed and a
second for when the Cancel button is pressed.
To write a control or form event procedure, open a module by double clicking the
form or control. A default event will appear on the module sheet but this can be
changed by selecting a different one from the procedure drop-down list at the top
right of the window.
A good analogy to the module sheet that appears

when you double click a form or control is to
imagine the back of the form where the instructions
on how to use it are written.
Event procedures include the name of the control. For example, the name of the click
event procedure for a command button named cmdOK is
Private Sub cmdOK_Click. Private because the sub procedure should not show in
the Macro list in Excel, it does not need to because it is purely for use by the OK
button on the form.
Beware of renaming a form or control after the event

procedures have been written. The name of the
procedure will not be automatically renamed and
hence, the event procedure will not run as expected.
It is good practice to name controls as described in the

previous topic before writing event code.
Procedures
1. Double click the Cancel button on the form design.
2. Add code as necessary (see examples below).
3. Double-click the form in the Project Explorer pane.
4. Double-click the OK button on the form design.
5. Add code as necessary (see examples below).
6. Double click the form in the Project Explorer pane.
All the possible ways of programming a form and its controls events are too
numerous and varied to mention in any document. The examples given below,
therefore, apply to the more commonly used controls and are given as a guide only.
Additional examples and help can be obtained from the VB Editor help, and on
various websites including the Microsoft Developer Network at:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa220733(office.11).aspx
The Cancel Command Button

Only one thing would normally happen when the cancel button is clicked the form
is removed from the screen and anything typed or set in its controls discarded. The
code for this would be (assuming the form was named frmDataEntry):
Unload frmDataEntry
The OK Command Button

Many things will happen when the OK button is clicked! For example:
a) Anything typed into text boxes will have to be acted on.
b) Items selected in combo boxes and list boxes will need to be interpreted and
made to carry out commands.
c) Spin button and scroll bars will have to have their values converted into
meaningful actions.
d) Check boxes, toggle buttons, and options button on the form will need to be
tested to ascertain which condition(s) apply.
e) The form itself must be removed from the screen after all the above tasks have
been completed.
The following examples all apply to the click event of the OK button and can be
written in any order. When referring to the control, its name as defined in the
properties pane must always be preceded by the name of the form that it is on, eg:
frmDataEntry.txtName.Value
The word Me can be used in place of the full form

name. Me meaning me, the form that I am on!
So instead of...
frmDataEntry.txtName.Value
you can use...
Me.frmDataEntry.txtName.Value
Text Boxes
Typically, when the OK button is clicked, text entered into a text box will need to be
transferred to a cell on a sheet, eg:
ActiveSheet.Range(A2).Value = frmDataEntry.txtName.Value
Value can be omitted because VBA always defaults to the value property for a
range object if the method or property is omitted. In addition, if the form must write
the text into cell A1 of the sheet that the form is being run from, there is no need to
include ActiveSheet. Hence, the code can be abbreviated to:
Range(A2) = Me.txtName
Combo Boxes and List Boxes

These can be used in a similar way to a text box, to enter the selected text into a cell
on a sheet. The code, therefore, would be very similar, eg:
Range(A3) = Me.cmbDepartment
or
Range(A4) = Me.lstLocation
Under other circumstances, it may be that the combo box or list box is designed to
give the user options to choose from. In the following example, a list box has been
used to give the user a choice of files to open. The code, therefore, would be:
Workbooks.Open Filename:= Me.lstFileNames
The above code assumes that the file to open is in the active, default folder. It may be
safer, therefore, to concatenate the correct path to the value returned by the control,
eg:
Workbooks.Open Filename:= s:\Excel\Stats\ & Me.lstFileNames

or
ChDir s:\Excel\Stats\
Workbooks.Open Filename:= Me.lstFileNames
In the following example, a combo box has been placed on the form to give the user a
selection of fonts to use. Assuming that the range to format is A1 to E1, the code
would be as follows:
Range(A1:E1).Font.Name = Me.cmbFontName
Option Buttons
Although not necessary if only one set of option buttons are used on a form, it is
good practice to draw them inside a frame. Only one option button can be selected at
a time so when one button is pressed in, another is pushed out (hence, radio
buttons).
A Frame containing two Option Buttons
Invariably, a decision will need to be made which option button is selected and thus,
an If structure used to carry out the necessary actions.
In the following example, a frame has been set up on a form with two option buttons,
one for selecting male and one for selecting female. Whichever of the two is chosen
must be placed into cell B4 as M or F.
If Me.optMale = True Then
Range(B4).Value = M
Else
Range(B4).Value = F
End If
Check Boxes
Because a check box has two conditions true or false, an If statement has to be used
to evaluate them. In the following example, a check box has been used for the user to
state whether to print the workbook or not.
If Me.chkPrint.Value = True Then
ActiveDocument.PrintOut
End If
Spin Buttons and Scroll Bars

A spin button or scroll bar control does not have a built in way of viewing its value.
Under usual circumstances, a text box has be placed beside the control to show its
current value.
The picture below, a spin button and a text box have been placed on a UserForm side
by side.
The code for making the value of the spin button visible in the text box would be
added to the spin buttons On_Change event. As the value in the spin button
changes, it is transferred to and made visible in the text box.
Procedures
1. Double-click the spin button on the form design.
2. Add the following code to the buttons On_Change event
procedure.
a. Private Sub spnCopies_Change()
i. Me.<text box name> = Me.<spin box name>
b. End Sub
3. Double-click the form in the Project Explorer pane.
A spin buttons values (ie. how high and low they

can go) can be controlled by using its Max and Min
properties.
The above procedure is purely to make the value of the spin button visible to the user
while using the form. Additional code has to be added to the OK buttons on click
event to make use of the spin buttons value.
In the following example, a spin button has been created on a form to prompt the
user for how many copies to print. The code uses the spin buttons value to print the
requested number of copies.
ActiveSheet.PrintOut Copies:=Me.spnCopies
FORM EVENTS
The topic above deals with events associated with form controls. The form itself also
has events that can be assigned a procedure. As with control events, the number
and variety of examples is too great to cover in this booklet. A couple of commonly
used examples, however, are given below to demonstrate use of the Initialize event.
The initialize event occurs when the form loads (just before it becomes visible on the
screen) and is often used to set default values for its controls and for populating
combo and list boxes.
Example A populates a combo box with four cities and Example B applies default
values to a text box and check box.
Example A
Private Sub UserForm_Initialize()
With Me.cmbLocations
.AddItem Belfast
.AddItem Cardiff
.AddItem Edinburgh
.AddItem London
End With
End Sub
A simpler way of populating a combo or list box is

to type the list in a column on a worksheet. Create a
named range from the list and use the range name
in the Row Source property of the control.
To limit a combo box so that users can only select

from the list, set the Style property to
frmStyleDropDownList.
Example B
Private Sub UserForm_Initialize()
Me.txtLocation.Value = London
Me.chkPrint.Value = True
End Sub
DISPLAYING A USERFORM
To display a user form, use the Show method for the form in question. This would be
written on a normal module sheet in the same workbook that the form has been
created in. The following example displays the UserForm named frmDataEntry:
Sub DisplayForm()
frmDataEntry.Show
End Sub
Once the procedure has been written, a method of running it from Excel needs to be
chosen. This would be the same as for any other macro, ie. button, menu or
keystroke. The code could also be included as part of a larger procedure, or called
into one as a separate sub procedure.
Procedures
2. Identify the workbook containing the form that you want
to show.
3. Insert a module sheet in the workbook.
4. Type the following code:
Sub ShowForm
<formname>.Show
End Sub
5. Run the userform
EXERCISE
CREATING A USERFORM
Task 1 - To create a UserForm to prompt for Text, ComboBox and CheckBox information.
1. Open a Blank Workbook and save it as User Form Practice.

2. Insert a new UserForm into the workbook and create controls on it as shown below:
Label
Text Box
Command
Buttons
Label
Combo Box
Check
Boxes Image
3. Set properties to the objects as follows:

Control Property
CommandButton 1 Name: btnOK
Caption: OK
CommandButton 2 Name: btnCancel
Caption: Cancel
Label 1 Caption: Enter your name
Text Box Name: txtInput
Label 2 Caption: Select a colour for your name
ComboBox Name: comColour
CheckBox 1 Name: chkBold
Caption: Bold
CheckBox 2 Name: chkItalic
Caption: Italic
UserForm Name: frmDataEntry
Caption: Data Entry

4. Assign an "on-click event" (what will happen when the control is clicked) to the
Cancel buttons by double clicking it and typing the following code:
Unload frmDataEntry
5. Double-click the form in the Project Explorer to return to its design window.
6. Assign an initialize event to the form (what happens when the form starts up) by
double clicking the form background and typing the following code. This is
necessary to load (populate) the combo box:
With frmDataEntry.comColours
.AddItem "Red"
.AddItem "Blue"
.AddItem "Green"
End With
7. Return to the form design window.
8. Double-click the OK button and add the following code. This is necessary to
implement the userform:
Range("A1").Value = frmDataEntry.txtInput.Value
Select Case frmDataEntry.comColours
Case Is = "Red"
Range("A1").Font.Color = vbRed
Case Is = "Blue"
Range("A1").Font.Color = vbBlue
Case Is = "Green"
Range("A1").Font.Color = vbGreen
End Select
If frmDataEntry.chkBold = True Then
Range("A1").Font.Bold = True
Else
Range("A1").Font.Bold = False
End If
If frmDataEntry.chkItalic = True Then
Range("A1").Font.Italic = True
Else
Range("A1").Font.Italic = False
End If
Unload frmDataEntry
9. Finally, write a short sub procedure on a new module sheet to show the form:
Sub EnterData()
frmDataEntry.Show
End Sub
10. Create a custom button on your toolbar to run the EnterData macro and check
correct data entry in cell A1. Correct any code, if necessary.
Excel Level 6: VBA Intermediate) Appendix I Sub Procedure Add-ins
APPENDIX I CREATING AN ADD-IN FOR SUB

PROCEDURES
Discussion
In order for a workbook containing sub procedure(s) to be used as an Add-in, there
must be a way for the Add-in to add a menu or buttons to run the procedure(s) when
it is installed.
In order to achieve this, the following two (or similar) procedures needs to be added
to the ThisWorkbook Excel Object module sheet as Private Subs (one that is not seen
from the Excel side because it is not relevant to run it from there).
The Add-in can then be protected, saved and installed as described in lesson 6 on
page 59.
Option Explicit
Dim cControl As CommandBarButton
Private Sub Workbook_AddinInstall()
' This procedure adds a menu command to run the procedure when the Add-in is installed
On Error Resume Next 'Just in case
'Delete any existing menu item that may have been left
Application.CommandBars("Worksheet Menu Bar").Controls("My Code").Delete
'Add the new menu item and set a CommandBarButton variable to it
Set cControl = Application.CommandBars("Worksheet Menu Bar").Controls.Add
'Work with the variable
With cControl
.Caption = "My Code"
.Style = msoButtonCaption
.OnAction = "MyGreatMacro"
'Macro must be stored in a standard module in the Add-in file
End With
On Error GoTo 0
End Sub
Excel Level 6: VBA Intermediate) Appendix I Sub Procedure Add-ins
Private Sub Workbook_AddinUninstall()
' This procedure removes the menu command when the Add-in is un-installed
On Error Resume Next 'In case it has already gone.
Application.CommandBars("Worksheet Menu Bar").Controls("Super Code").Delete
On Error GoTo 0
End Sub
Excel Level 6: VBA Intermediate) Appendix II Error Codes
APPENDIX II LIST OF TRAPPABLE ERRORS

AND THEIR CODES
Source:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms234761(VS.80).aspx
Code Message
3 Return without GoSub
5 Invalid procedure call
6 Overflow
7 Out of memory
9 Subscript out of range
10 This array is fixed or temporarily locked
11 Division by zero
13 Type mismatch
14 Out of string space
16 Expression too complex
17 Can't perform requested operation
18 User interrupt occurred
20 Resume without error
28 Out of stack space
35 Sub, Function, or Property not defined
47 Too many code resource or DLL application clients
48 Error in loading code resource or DLL
49 Bad code resource or DLL calling convention
51 Internal error
52 Bad file name or number
53 File not found
54 Bad file mode
55 File already open
57 Device I/O error
58 File already exists
59 Bad record length
61 Disk full
62 Input past end of file
63 Bad record number
67 Too many files
68 Device unavailable
70 Permission denied
71 Disk not ready
74 Can't rename with different drive
75 Path/File access error
76 Path not found
91 Object variable or With block variable not set
92 For loop not initialized
93 Invalid pattern string
94 Invalid use of Null
97 Can't call Friend procedure on an object that is not an instance of
the defining class
98 A property or method call cannot include a reference to a private
object, either as an argument or as a return value
298 System resource or DLL could not be loaded
320 Can't use character device names in specified file names
321 Invalid file format
322 Can't create necessary temporary file
325 Invalid format in resource file
327 Data value named not found
328 Illegal parameter; can't write arrays
335 Could not access system registry
336 Component not correctly registered
337 Component not found
338 Component did not run correctly
360 Object already loaded
361 Can't load or unload this object
363 Control specified not found
364 Object was unloaded
365 Unable to unload within this context
368 The specified file is out of date. This program requires a later
version
371 The specified object can't be used as an owner form for Show
380 Invalid property value
381 Invalid property-array index
382 Property Set can't be executed at run time
383 Property Set can't be used with a read-only property
385 Need property-array index
387 Property Set not permitted
393 Property Get can't be executed at run time
394 Property Get can't be executed on write-only property
400 Form already displayed; can't show modally
402 Code must close topmost modal form first
419 Permission to use object denied
422 Property not found
423 Property or method not found
424 Object required
425 Invalid object use
429 Component can't create object or return reference to this object
430 Class doesn't support Automation
432 File name or class name not found during Automation operation
438 Object doesn't support this property or method
440 Automation error
442 Connection to type library or object library for remote process
has been lost
443 Automation object doesn't have a default value
445 Object doesn't support this action
446 Object doesn't support named arguments
447 Object doesn't support current locale setting
448 Named argument not found
449 Argument not optional or invalid property assignment
450 Wrong number of arguments or invalid property assignment
451 Object not a collection
452 Invalid ordinal
453 Specified code resource not found

454 Code resource not found
455 Code resource lock error
457 This key is already associated with an element of this collection
458 Variable uses a type not supported in Visual Basic
459 This component doesn't support the set of events
460 Invalid Clipboard format
461 Method or data member not found
462 The remote server machine does not exist or is unavailable
463 Class not registered on local machine
480 Can't create AutoRedraw image
481 Invalid picture
482 Printer error
483 Printer driver does not support specified property
484 Problem getting printer information from the system. Make sure
the printer is set up correctly
485 Invalid picture type
486 Can't print form image to this type of printer
520 Can't empty Clipboard
521 Can't open Clipboard
735 Can't save file to TEMP directory
744 Search text not found
746 Replacements too long
31001 Out of memory
31004 No object
31018 Class is not set
31027 Unable to activate object
31032 Unable to create embedded object
31036 Error saving to file
31037 Error loading from file
Excel Level 6: VBA Intermediate) Appendix III Debug.Assert
APPENDIX III DEBUG.ASSERT
Discussion
In Excel 2000 and later, you can use Debug.Assert statements to cause the code to
break if a condition is not met. The syntax for Debug.Assert is:
Debug.Assert (condition)
...where condition is some VBA code or

expression that returns True (any numeric non-zero value) or False (a zero value). If
condition evaluates to False or 0, VBA breaks on that line (see Breakpoints, page 76).
For example, the following code will break on the Debug.Assert line because the
condition ( X < 100) is false.
Dim X As Long
X = 123
Debug.Assert (X < 100)
Debug.Assert is a useful way to pause code execution when special or unexpected

conditions occur. It may seem backwards that Debug.Assert breaks execution when
condition is False rather than True, but this peculiarity traces its roots back to early C-
language compilers.
Your end users do not want the code to enter break mode under any circumstances,
so be sure to remove the statements before distributing your code, or use Conditional
Compilation to create "release" and "debug" versions of your project. Note that
Debug.Assert is not available in Excel97 or earlier versions.
Conditional Compilation
While not directly part of debugging code, conditional compilation allows you to
create "debug" and "release" versions of your code. For example, you may want to
include message boxes, or Debug.Print or Debug.Assert statements while you are
developing and testing your code, but you do not want those to be active when you
release the code to users. VBA allows you to include or exclude blocks of code with a
technique called conditional compilation. Conditional compilation uses If, Then, and
Else statements to include or exclude a block of code. First, you want to create a
compiler variable called, for example, DEBUG_ . Use the #CONST directive to create
the variable.
#CONST DEBUG_ = True
Then, delimit blocks using the compiler directives to include various blocks of code.
For example,
Excel Level 6: VBA Intermediate) Appendix III Debug.Assert
#If DEBUG_ Then
Debug.Assert (X<100)
#End If
Note the use of the # character. In your development version, keep the value of
DEBUG_ equal to True. When you are ready to release the code to end users, set this
one constant value to False to prevent the Debug.Assert statement from even being
included in the compiled code.
Excel Level 6: VBA Intermediate) Appendix IV Adding Interactivity
APPENDIX IV ADDING INTERACTIVITY TO A

MESSAGE BOX
Discussion
Examples of where an interactive message box might be required are where
confirmation is required to proceed with the next part of a procedure, or in error
handling, eg.
Example A Example B
To make the message box interactive, the arguments must be put inside brackets. The
following code will display Example A above.
MsgBox ("Do you want to continue deleting the data", vbYesNo, "Delete Confirm")
Prompt Buttons Title
The buttons argument consists of constants or values from each of the following
three groups:
Number and type of button:

Constant Value Display
vbOKOnly 0 OK button only
vbOKCancel 1 OK and Cancel buttons
vbAbortRetryIgnore 2 Abort, Retry and Ignore buttons
vbYesNoCancel 3 Yes, No and Cancel buttons
vbYesNo 4 Yes and No buttons
vbRetryCancel 5 Retry and Cancel buttons
Icon style:
Constant Value Display Icon
vbCritical 16 Critical Message icon.
vbQuestion 32 Warning Query icon.
vbExclamation 48 Warning Message icon.
vbInformation 64 Information Message icon.
Default Button:
Constant Value Default
vbDefaultButton1 0 First button is default
vbDefaultButton2 256 Second button is default
vbDefaultButton3 512 third button is default
The buttons argument of the message box function can hold three pieces of
information separated by a plus (+) symbol. Using the following code as the buttons
argument will produce Example C below.
vbYesNo + vbQuestion + vbDefaultButton2
vbQuestion
vbYesNo vbDefaultButton2
(second from left)
A more concise method of writing the above sample of code would be to use the
numeric values for the arguments, eg.
4 + 32 + 256
It is easier, however, to remember the vb constants, viz. vbYesNo + vbQuestion +

DefaultButton2.
Procedures
1. Position the cursor in the sub procedure code where you
want to place the statement.
2. Type a variable name to store the value of whichever

button is clicked in the message box, eg. response.
3. Type =.
4. Type MsgBox.
5. Type an opening bracket ( .
6. Type a speech mark (Shift 2).
7. Type a prompt for the message box, ie. the message that
you want it to display, eg. Do you want to continue?
8. Type a speech mark (Shift 2).
9. Type a comma.
10. Type the necessary value to indicate which buttons you
want the message box to display, eg. vbYesNo.
11. If you wish to add an icon If you do not wish to add an
and/or default button to icon and/or a default button
the message box, type a to the message box, go to 15
plus symbol (+). below.
12. Type the necessary value
to indicate which icon to
display, eg. vbQuestion
13. Type a plus symbol (+).
14. Type the necessary value
to indicate which default
button you wish to set,
eg.vbDefaultButton2
15. Type a comma.
16. If you wish to add a title If you do not wish to add a
to the message box, type title to the message box, go
a comma to 20 below.
17. Type a speech mark
(Shift 2).
18. Type the title text.
19. Type a speech mark
(Shift 2).
20. Type a closing bracket ) .
21. Press Enter.
22. Add additional code as necessary.
Responding to an Interactive Message Box
The value returned by the function depends upon which button is pressed. The value
is returned as a constant, which is equal in value to a number. The constant or the
value can be tested by the procedure, usually by means of an IF statement. :
Constant Valu Button Selected

vbOK e1 OK
vbCancel 2 Cancel
vbAbort 3 Abort
vbRetry 4 Retry
vbIgnore 5 Ignore
vbYes 6 Yes
vbNo 7 No
In the following example, the message box offers a yes/no response. If the user clicks
yes, then the procedure will delete all the data from the sheet. If the user clicks no, the
procedure will terminate.
If MsgBox (Do you want to delete all data, vbYesNo + vbCritical) = vbYes
Then
ActiveSheet.Cells.Clear
End If
The result of the message box (ie. whether the yes or no button is clicked) can be
stored in a variable and the code could also be written:
Dim response as Byte

response = MsgBox (Do you want to delete all data, vbYesNo + vbCritical)
If response = vbYes Then or If response = 6 Then
ActiveSheet.Cells.Clear
End If
Procedures
1. (The procedure below assumes a message box containing
Yes and No buttons. It can be adapted, however, to
respond to any set of buttons (eg. vbOKCancel,
vbRetryCancel etc.))
2. Position the cursor in the sub procedure code where you

want to place the statement.
3. Create an interactive message box as described in the
previous topic of this lesson.
4. Press Enter.
5. Type If.
6. Type a space.
7. Type the variable name that you have used to store the
response from the message box.
8. Type a space.
9. Type = vbYes.
10. Type a space.
11. Type Then.
12. Type the statements that you want the sub procedure to
perform if the user has clicked the Yes button.
13. Press Enter.
14. Type Else.
15. Press Enter.
16. Type the statements that you want the sub procedure to
perform if the user has clicked the No button.
17. Press Enter.
18. Type End If.
19. Press Enter.
20. Add additional code as necessary.
Excel Level 6: VBA Intermediate) Appendix V - Solutions to Exercises
APPENDIX V SOLUTIONS TO EXERCISES
Review Exercise (Page 5)
Sub CreateTable()
Sheets.Add
' Add data

Range("B1").Value = "USA"
Range("C1").Value = "Europe"
Range("A2").Value = "Sales"
Range("A3").Value = "Costs"
Range("A4").Value = "Profit"
' Add formulas

Range("B4").Formula = "=B2-B3"
Range("C4").Formula = "=C2-C3"
' Add formatting

Range("B1:C1").Font.Bold = True
Range("A2:A4").Font.Italic = True
Range("A4:C4").Interior.ColorIndex = 15
End Sub
Sub TestProfit()
' Declare variable

Dim cel As Variant
' Start looping through each variable in range

For Each cel In Range("B4:C4")
' Test each variable

If cel.Value >= 15000 Then
cel.Font.Bold = True
Else
cel.Font.Color = vbRed
End If
Next cel
End Sub
Working with the Range Object (Page 18)
Sub LayoutTable()
' Select a cell on the table before running this macro
Selection.ColumnWidth = 12
Selection.Columns(1).Font.Color = vbBlue
Selection.Rows(1).HorizontalAlignment = xlCenter
End Sub
Sub FormatNumbers()
Selection.Offset(1, 1).Select
Selection.Resize(Selection.Rows.Count - 1, Selection.Columns.Count - 1).Select
Selection.NumberFormat = "#,##0.00"
End Sub
Sub LastCell()
Selection.CurrentRegion.Select
Selection.Cells(Selection.Cells.Count).Select
ActiveCell.Font.Size = 14
ActiveCell.Interior.Color = vbYellow
ActiveCell.EntireColumn.AutoFit
End Sub
Sub RunAllMacros()
Call LayoutTable
Call FormatNumbers
Call LastCell
End Sub
Variables and Arrays (Page 41)

Task 1
Sub CreateNewForecast()
Dim arrMonthName As String

Dim arrVals(1 To 4) As String
Sheets("Template").Copy After:=Sheets(Sheets.Count)
arrMonthName = InputBox("Enter the name for the sheet")

ActiveSheet.Name = arrMonthName
For i = 1 To 4
arrVals(i) = InputBox("Enter value for week " & i)
Next i
For i = 1 To 4
Cells(2, 1 + i).Value = arrVals(i)
Next i
End Sub
Task 2
Const PURPLE As Byte = 29

Const ORANGE As Byte = 45
Const ROSE As Byte = 38
Const BLUE As Byte = 5
Sub ApplyColours()

ActiveCell.CurrentRegion.Rows(1).Interior.ColorIndex = PURPLE
ActiveCell.CurrentRegion.Rows(1).Font.ColorIndex = ROSE
ActiveCell.CurrentRegion.Columns(1).Interior.ColorIndex = ORANGE
ActiveCell.CurrentRegion.Columns(1).Font.ColorIndex = BLUE
End Sub
Task 3
Sub TransferData()
Dim arrData(1 To 6, 1 To 4)
Dim iRows As Byte
Dim iCols As Byte
For iRows = 1 To 6
For iCols = 1 To 4
arrData(iRows, iCols) = Cells(iRows + 1, iCols + 1).Value
Next iCols
Next iRows
Sheets("Net").Activate
For iRows = 1 To 6
For iCols = 1 To 4
Cells(iRows + 1, iCols + 1).Value = arrData(iRows, iCols) * 0.8
Next iCols
Next iRows
End Sub
User-Defined Functions (Page 57)

Task 1
Function DegF(TempC)
DegF = TempC * 9 / 5 + 32
End Function
Function DegC(TempF)
DegC = (TempF - 32) * 5 / 9
End Function
Function Hypot(x, y)
Hypot = Sqr(x ^ 2 + y ^ 2)
End Function
Function Gasbill(UnitsUsed, LowUnits, HighRate, LowRate)
Dim highUnits As Integer
highUnits = UnitsUsed - LowUnits

Gasbill = (LowUnits * LowRate) + (highUnits * HighRate)
End Function
Task 2
Function CountText(RangeToCount)
For Each numb In RangeToCount
If Not IsNumeric(numb) Then
CountText = CountText + 1
End If
Next numb
End Function
Dealing with Potential Errors (Page 95)
Sub CircData()
Const PI = 3.142
Radius = InputBox("Type the radius of your circle in centimetres", "Circle Data")
If IsNumeric(Radius) Then
CircArea = PI * (Radius ^ 2)
CircCircumf = 2 * PI * Radius
MsgBox "The area of the circle is: " & CircArea & vbCrLf & vbCrLf & _
"The circumference of the circle is: " & CircCircumf
Else
MsgBox "Input not valid"
End If
End Sub
Sub DeleteOldFile()
Dim fileToRemove As String
fileToRemove = InputBox("Type name of file to delete from the current folder", "Delete File")
If fileToRemove = "" Then
Exit Sub
Else
Kill ThisWorkbook.Path & "\" & fileToRemove & ".xls"

MsgBox "File successfully deleted"
End If
Exit Sub
errhandle:
response = MsgBox("File not found. Do you want to try again?", vbYesNo)
fileToRemove = InputBox("Type name of file to delete from the current folder", "Delete File")
Resume
End If
End If
MsgBox "File is currently open. Close the file and run the macro again"
End If
End Sub
Excel Level 6: VBA Intermediate) Index
INDEX
error codes - list .............................................. 119
A
error descriptions..............................................94
Add-ins Is... functions .....................................................84
code for subprocedures .................................. 117 On Error statement ...........................................85
creating ............................................................. 61 Resume statement.............................................85
editing............................................................... 64 trapping with error numbers ...........................90
installing to Excel ............................................. 63 using interactive message boxes ......................88
overview ........................................................... 60 using labels to divert code ...............................87
removing .......................................................... 65 using the IF statement ......................................83
Arrays
F
Array function.................................................. 38
assigning values ............................................... 31 Functions
declaring ........................................................... 24 declaring variables in .......................................54
dynamic ............................................................ 35 getting help .......................................................52
lower bound ..................................................... 26 user-defined ......................................................49
multi-dimensional ........................................... 28 using Excel functions in procedures ................44
Option Base 1 ................................................... 27 using ranges in arguments ...............................55
overview ........................................................... 24 VBA functions ...................................................46
ReDim ............................................................... 36
M
ReDim Preserve ............................................... 37
using loops with............................................... 33 Message Box
adding interactivity ........................................ 125
C
button types .................................................... 125
Collections default buttons ................................................ 126
Cells .................................................................. 10 icons ................................................................. 125
ChartObjects..................................................... 11 interactive use examples ................................ 128
Columns ........................................................... 11 responding to .................................................. 128
Rows ................................................................. 11
O
Sheets ................................................................ 10
WorkBooks ....................................................... 10 Offset ......................................................................14
WorkSheets ...................................................... 10
R
Constants
declaring ........................................................... 22 Ranges
using ................................................................. 22 Cells property .................................................... 8
CurrentRegion property...................................12
D
Offset property..................................................14
Debugging referring to ......................................................... 7
Break mode ...................................................... 76 Resize property .................................................15
Debug.Assert................................................... 123 Resize .....................................................................15
Debug.Print ...................................................... 80
U
displaying variable values .............................. 73
error types ........................................................ 69 Userforms, custom
Locals window ................................................. 73 adding controls .................................................99
step into ............................................................ 70 adding events to controls ............................... 106
step out ............................................................. 72 Cancel button .................................................. 107
step over ........................................................... 71 check boxes ..................................................... 110
stepping a procedure ....................................... 70 combo boxes.................................................... 108
Watch window ................................................. 75 control properties ........................................... 104
Dialog Boxes control types.................................................... 100
using Excel dialog boxes in procedures ......... 98 creating ..............................................................99
displaying........................................................ 113
E
editing controls ............................................... 101
Error Handling form events - initialize .................................... 111
Err.Number ...................................................... 91 grouping controls ........................................... 102
Excel Level 6: VBA Intermediate) Index
inserting to a workbook .................................. 99 V

list boxes .......................................................... 108
Variables
naming ............................................................. 105
Dim statement...................................................20
OK button........................................................ 107
naming...............................................................31
options buttons ............................................... 109
Option Explicit ..................................................20
scroll bars ........................................................ 110
scope ..................................................................21
spin buttons..................................................... 110
visibility .............................................................21
text boxes ......................................................... 108

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Excel - Intermediate Learning

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MICROSOFT EXCEL

VISUAL BASIC FOR APPLICATIONS

Concepts, discussions, procedures and functionality, however, remain unchanged.

IMPORTANT NOTE .............................................................................................................................................. 2

LESSON 6 ERROR HANDLING & TRAPPING .............................................................................................82

APPENDIX II LIST OF TRAPPABLE ERRORS AND THEIR CODES....................................................... 119

APPENDIX III DEBUG.ASSERT..................................................................................................................... 123

APPENDIX IV ADDING INTERACTIVITY TO A MESSAGE BOX.......................................................... 125

APPENDIX V SOLUTIONS TO EXERCISES ................................................................................................ 130

INDEX ................................................................................................................................................................... 137

1. Open the file, Daily Profit and Loss.

3. Add code to the module that:

a. adds formulas in cells B4 and C4

6. Correct any errors.

Manipulate ranges with the Offset and Resize functions

The Range Property

...refers to the range A1 : A10 and gives the same result

Range("A1:A10, C1:C10, E1:E10")

... refers to three ranges.

Range(ActiveCell, ActiveCell.Offset(10, 0))

The Cells Property

A run-time error message

Cells(A1:A10) would return the same error.

ActiveSheet.Cells.Clear or just Cells.Clear

...removes formatting and contents from every cell on the

... formats all cells on Sheet2 to the Calibri font.

... returns to the variable numCels the number of cells in the

Range(Cells(1, 1),Cells(3, 3))

3. Open the module sheet containing the code or, insert a

...select ALL the cells on the active worksheet

Other collections include:

Columns All the columns of the Columns.Count

THE CURRENTREGION PROPERTY

A contiguous range (A3 : B22)

THE OFFSET & RESIZE PROPERTIES

ActiveCell.CurrentRegion.Select Selection.Resize(15, 4).Select

Selection.Offset(1, 1).Resize(numRows, numCols).Select

Task - To practice range object methods and functions.

Understand Scope and Visibility

Error Message Variable not defined

The Option Explicit Statement is added to new

SCOPE AND VISIBILITY

It is usual to type your constants all UPPER CASE

Can then be used thus......

Const PI as Single = 3.142

Const RED as Byte = 3

Or, in the single line form:

Const RED As Byte = 3, YELLOW As Byte = 6, BLUE As Byte = 5

Dim arrData (4)

arrData(0) arrData(1) arrData(2) arrData(3) arrData(4)

Also like variables, it is good practice to declare an array as type. If an array is

Dim variable (dimensions) as Type

Dim arrData(4) As Single

Earlier, it was explained that all elements in an

Declaring an array actually reserves memory for the

Changing the lower bound

Dim arrData (1 To 5) As Type

The array above would contain 5 elements numbered from 1 to 5.

arrData(1) arraData(2) arrData(3) arrData(4) arrData(5)

...at the top of the module sheet (a module-level declaration). This

Dim arrData (5)

Dim arrData (3 , 2) As Type

Dim arrData (1 To 4 , 1 To 3) As Type

Or, if Option Base 1 is used